The historical context for the establishment of the Greek Empire includes the rise of powerful city-states, particularly Athens and Sparta, during the Classical Period (5th-4th centuries BCE). Following the conflicts with Persia in the early 5th century, the Delian League emerged, enhancing Athenian power and fostering cultural and political achievements. However, internal conflicts, such as the Peloponnesian War, weakened city-states, leading to Macedonian domination under Philip II and Alexander the Great. Alexander's conquests further spread Greek culture and language across an extensive empire, establishing a lasting influence known as Hellenism, which shaped subsequent civilizations.