This edition by Modern Era and the Association "We who studied socialism" presents new historiographic material to the Greek public regarding the emergence, development, and crisis of the city-state, while simultaneously serving as a critique of urban historiography from the perspective of Soviet historians.

The studies in this collection are based on and develop the Soviet Marxist research methodology concerning the slaveholding society and economy. Furthermore, it serves as an important source of knowledge for the general public and an essential research tool for historians, archaeologists, philologists, and students.

The studies in the collection address the following topics:

In the Introduction ("The Ancient Greek Polis"), G. Kosilenko systematically explores the founding and development of the Polis and the differences between the terms "Polis" and "state." In Chapter 1 ("From Mycenaean Palaces to the City-State"), G. Poliakov analyzes the deep internal and external changes that occurred during the 12th - 8th century.

Sparta, as a type of Polis (Chapter 2, "Sparta as a Type of Polis"), with its archaic structures in social organization, is profoundly analyzed by G. Andreyev. G. Kosilenko (in Chapter 3, "The Greek Polis and Issues of Economic Development") examines the Polis as a socio-political organization of citizens and its interaction with the state as a socio-economic organism.

In Chapter 4 ("Agricultural Relations in Attica during the 5th - 4th Centuries"), V. Andreyev presents the most significant productive sector of Ancient Athens' economy during the 5th - 4th century, agriculture. In Chapter 5 ("The Archē - Hegemony and the Athenian Democracy"), M. Kondratiuk evaluates the decisive role played by Athenian hegemony (Archē) in the economy and democracy of Athens, as well as its allies.