Context: Ancient Greece was made up of multiple city-states along the Ionian (ahy-OH-nee-uhn), Mediterranean (med-i-tuh-REY-nee-uhn), and Aegean (ah-GEE-an) seas. Two of the most powerful city-states were Athens and Sparta. The map below shows ancient Greece around 500 BCE. Look at the map. Then complete the text below.
Complete the text.
Athens was a major trading city-state along the coast of the () Sea. Sparta, known for its well-trained soldiers, was located to the () of Athens.
A. Aegean . . . northeast
B. Ionian . . . northwest
C. Ionian . . . southeast
D. Aegean . . . southwest
From the given choices, choose the correct answer and respond with the letter of that choice.

D