Ancient Greece covers the Archaic Period before the beginning of democracy in Athens, the Classical period which flourished during the 5th to 4th centuries BC and the Hellenistic Period between Alexander the Great and the Roman conquest. Classical Greek culture had a powerful influence on the Roman Empire and consequently on much of Europe. It brought us philosophy, mathematics and theater in addition to the myths and stories known and loved by many. For this reason Ancient Greece is often called 'the birthplace of Western civilization'.