Why did Athens become one of the most powerful cities in Ancient Greece?

Athens was able to become one of the most powerful states in Greece thanks to the prominent figures who lived here. Among them are: Drakont, Solon, Miltada, Themistocles, Pericles, etc. They all dedicated their lives to Athens. Thanks to them, Athens ascended in political and military power. In the 5th century BC, Athens became the center of the struggle against the Persians, which greatly increased the authority of this polis in Greece. At the same time, in the second half of this century, democracy began to flourish under Pericles.