This is an alternate history, I'm building a backdrop where the more interesting elements of the ancient world rise to prominence around the same time as a more dramatic stage on which to game as demigods.
Greece In this version of Greece the Delian League was actually rooted in an attempt to unite Greece under Amagmemnon during the Trojan wars. That went down as the stories go including the legends of the prince Aeneas leading Trojan survivors to found Rome.
The League has held against 2 Persian wars but as Nation states have begun to rise it has become clear that Greece needs to unite or face destruction. Laconia (a.k.a Sparta) has support, Athens has support the two ideas of a united Greece are incompatible and things look to come to a head soon.
Rome Rome has risen and united Italy early but is stalled at sea and in trade by it's rival Carthage and by a more fierce alliance of Gallic tribes across the Alps in the North. It is notable that Rome has started to train and incorporate Orcs and half orc barbarian auxiliaries from the North.
Macedonia Phillip the 2nd will eat Greece if she doesn't unite he has conquered it's present borders and modern day Albania. Thus far the threat of Laconia has held them at bay. It is notable that Macedonia recruits troops from conquered territories and tribes and presently has hobgoblins and bugbears in their ranks.
Persia Has been in decline for decades. Greeks war there for profit.
Egypt Has united and built it's own version Alexandria and it's great library. They also do not regard Necromancy as an evil practice and have an undead slave labor force that they seem to treat with a degree of reverence, many outsiders find this disturbing.
Notes:
The Colossus of Rhodes is totally a giant Golem that literally guards their harbor.
Hanging Gardens of Babylon are tended by a very powerful druid.
Great Pyramid of Giza concentrate Necromantic power.
The Temple of Artemis at Ephesus Is guarded by Amazons.
Statue of Zeus at Olympia is coveted by both Laconia and Athens as a political prop.
Lighthouse of Alexandria yes I realize no Alexander the Great yet but this and the Library exist.
Mausoleum at Halicarnassus is within a magical dead zone, no one knows why.
Languages:
Educated common = Greek
Uneducated common = Punic a.k.a. tradespeak
Other useful languages to consider:
Egyptian
Etruscan (ancient common)
Minoian (Minotaur)
Elvish
Goblin
Elyssian effectively replaces Celestial or god-tongue
Draconic
Orc
Aquan is spoken commonly by worshiper's of Poseidon/Neptune
Hades replaces Infernal
Persian is also rather commonly spoken
Hebrew
I'll be expanding on this as I go
