Classical Athens was a powerful city - state that emerged in conjunction with the seagoing development of the port of Piraeus, which had been a distinct city prior to its 5th century BC incorporation with Athens. A centre for the arts, learning and philosophy, home of Plato 's Academy and Aristotle 's Lyceum, it is widely referred to as the cradle of Western civilization and the birthplace of democracy, largely because of its cultural and political impact on the European continent, and in particular the Romans. In modern times, Athens is a large cosmopolitan metropolis and central to economic, financial, industrial, maritime, political and cultural life in Greece. In 2012, Athens was ranked the world 's 39th richest city by purchasing power and the 67th most expensive in a UBS study.
why is greece referred to as the cradle of civilization in the birthplace of democracy
largely because of its cultural and political impact on the European continent, and in particular the Romans