Inscribed on the ancient Greek temple at Delphi are the edicts, "Know thyself" and "Nothing in excess." These ideals encapsulate the guiding principles of philosophy, government, art and architecture in ancient Greece. As the birthplace of Western civilization, we can trace our modern culture back to the rolling hillsides of this Mediterranean civilization. And the men who came up with these concepts -- such as Plato, Socrates and Sophocles -- have some of the most recognizable names in history.

If the Stoics and Epicureans are a bit too heady for your taste, there's always classic Greek mythology. While the Greeks used myths to explain the everyday phenomena in their lives, we study it today as part of the literary canon. The Greek pantheon of gods influenced the whole of their ancient civilization. From the food they harvested to the athletic games they played, the gods were a part of the Greeks' day-to-day lives. Perhaps the most ceremonious homage to the gods that continues to this day is the Olympic Games. What began as a festival to honor the gods and to showcase young Greek men's athletic prowess has evolved into a worldwide sporting competition that draws athletes and spectators from all corners of the world.

Ancient Greece's borders were constantly expanding during the height of the civilization. Powerful cities sought to establish colonies throughout the Mediterranean and Black Seas. In fact, a quick glimpse at a map of modern Greece shows the vast swath of land these early colonizers acquired, peppering the Aegean and Ionian Seas. Some of us look to Greece today for diet staples like olive oil while others turn to Greece for scholarly pursuits in the arts and sciences. No matter the reason for your fascination with Greece and antiquity, you're sure to find all the information you're after at HowStuffWorks -- except oracles, of course.