Part 2/8:
From the 8th century to the 4th century BCE, Ancient Greece thrived, contributing immensely to democracy, philosophy, art, and architecture. The era witnessed the emergence of numerous city-states that competed against one another, yet collaborated in vital pursuits such as trade and warfare. Among these was Helike, a prominent city situated on the shores of the Corinthian Gulf.
Helike flourished as a center for commerce and spirituality, with deep ties to Poseidon, the god of the sea. Trade networks thrived under Poseidon's watch, his favor essential for successful voyages across the Mediterranean. However, the people of Helike would soon learn the perils of angering their patron god.