It encompasses several key ideas:
* A self-governing community: The polis was not just a physical place, but also a political entity with its own laws, government, and citizens.
* A shared identity: People living in a polis shared a sense of belonging and purpose, defined by their common culture, values, and institutions.
* A center of cultural and political life: The polis served as a hub for art, literature, philosophy, and political discourse.
The term "polis" has had a lasting influence on our understanding of political and social organization, with echoes in words like "politics", "police", and "metropolis".