Founded by the Phoenicians in the middle of the 9th century BC, it was a powerful city-state with a large and lucrative commercial empire.

In the course of the 15th century, the most powerful city-states annexed their smaller neighbors.

Tikal is a popular archaeological site that was once a powerful, thriving city-state in the Mayan empire.

Almost uniquely, they survived in northern and central Italy to become independent and powerful city-states.

Fanatical priests controlled a few powerful city-states.

The aftermath of the earthquake contributed to a growing distrust between Sparta and the increasingly powerful city-state of Athens.

They survived in northern and central Italy as in a handful of other regions throughout Europe to become independent and powerful city-states.

In ancient times Samos was a particularly rich and powerful city-state.

In the 16th century, as Bern became a powerful and rich city-state, public fountains were added to Bern.

That's a powerful city-state in the south.