The Greek word for city-state is polis. In ancient Greece, a polis was a central urban area that also controlled the surrounding countryside. The polis was the basic political and social unit of Greek life, and it played a crucial role in the development of Greek culture, politics, and society.
Each polis was independent and had its own government, laws, and customs. Some of the most famous city-states in ancient Greece include Athens, Sparta, Corinth, and Thebes. The concept of the polis was fundamental to the identity of the ancient Greeks and influenced many aspects of their daily lives, from politics and religion to education and warfare.