What geographical feature isolated the ancient Greeks from each other?

The ancient Greeks were significantly influenced by their mountainous terrain, which played a crucial role in shaping their civilization. The central part of Greece is marked by a series of rugged mountains that divide the land into various regions. This geographical feature led to the development of small, independent city-states (poleis) rather than a unified empire.

Due to the mountains, communication and transportation between these city-states were challenging, fostering a sense of local identity and often leading to rivalries among them. Each city-state, such as Athens and Sparta, developed its own government, culture, and way of life, which contributed to the diversity of ancient Greek civilization. Therefore, the mountains acted as a natural barrier that isolated different groups of people, leading to the rich tapestry of Greek history and culture that we study today.