About 2,500 years ago, Greece was one of the most important places in the ancient world. The Greeks were great thinkers, warriors, writers, actors, athletes, artists, architects and politicians. The name 'Greeks' was given to the people of Greece by the Romans. They lived in mainland Greece, the Greek islands, and in colonies scattered around the Mediterranean Sea. They sailed the sea to trade and find new lands. The Greeks took their ideas with them and they started a way of life that's similar to the one we have today.