Final answer:
The Archaic Period in ancient Greek history, from approximately 750 to 479 BC, saw significant developments in urbanization, politics, art, and the foundation of democracy, marking the precursor to the Classical Period.Option C is the correct answer.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Archaic Period refers to a period of ancient Greek history that spans from approximately 750 BC to 479 BC. This era is characterized by the increasing urbanization of Greek communities and the emergence of the concept of the polis, which translates roughly as a city-state. Major developments during the Archaic Period included advancements in Greek politics, economics, international relations, warfare, and culture, setting the stage for the subsequent Classical Period.
One of the key cultural advancements of the Archaic Period was the creation of the Greek alphabet, which enabled the composition of the first surviving Greek literature, such as Homer's Iliad and Odyssey. Additionally, the period witnessed significant progress in the arts, with the evolution of monumental sculpture and red-figure pottery. Politically, it was a transformative time as well, notably in Athens with the establishment of nascent democratic institutions by statesmen such as Kleisthenes around 508-507 BC. Moreover, this period included the colonization of areas around the Mediterranean and Black Sea, the rise of important Greek city-states like Athens, Sparta, Corinth, and Thebes, and ended with Persian invasions.