- Mystical Places: Athens has been around for over 4,000 years | greek mythology

greek mythology - greek mythology picture - greek mythology god - greek roman mythology - greek mythology story - greek mythology family tree
hercules - apollo - prometheus - medusa - zeus - aphrodite - poseidon - titans - athena - atlas - pandora - hermes - hades - siren - fate - muse

Today's Top Story

Mesopotamian Deities Chart

Categories Menu

· All Categories
· Artemis
· Athens
· Atlantis
· Delphi
· Hephaestus
· Hera
· Hermes
· Mythology Charts
· Nymphs ->Land
· Nymphs ->Water
· Posters / Art Prints
· Rhodes
· Thebes
· Troy

Mythology DVDs

Random Headlines

[ Legendary People ]

·	The Epigonoi put Thersander on the throne of Thebes
·	Adrastos opened war against Thebes to reinstate Polyneikes to the throne
·	Oedipus was made king of Thebes
·	Amphion and Zethos began the wall of Thebes
·	Kadmos built the walls of Thebes
·	Hermes, Patron of liars, thieves, gambling, treaties and travelers.

Wizzard Status

This Master Wizard position is open. Email the webmaster if you are interested in managing this website.

2006 Calendars are In!

Athens: Mystical Places: Athens has been around for over 4,000 years

Mystical Places: Athens has been around for over 4,000 years.. KEYWORDS: athens Athens places in greek mythology mystical places

Athens is a city in Attica in mainland Greece, with the natives being called Athenians. Since B.C. 2000+ it has been the cultural center of Greece.

Athens is the capital of modern Greece, and has been so since it was named after the goddess Athena.

Athens houses the Acropolis, the Parthenon, and Mt. Lycabettus (Athena was said to have dropped this from the sky to help defend the city). The entrance to the Acropolis is the Propylea, which extends 150 feet adjoining the temple of Nike. The Parthenon is on the highest part of the Acropolis and was built between 447 and 437 BC.

Athens was once ruled by Aegeus and his son Theseus. After the death of his father Aegeus, Theseus went to Athens to claim the kingdom as his birthright. He remained king until he later retired to an island and was killed by Lycomedes. To see more information about Theseus please visit his page in the heroes section.

Naming of Athens:

During the rule of Cecrops it was thought that Athens was the crown jewel of all cities. The gods Athena and Poseidon decided that they wanted the wonderful city as their own. The two gods weren't opposed to fighting for the city. Instead of fighting, Athena came up with an idea about who could claim the city as theirs.

It was decided that whomever gave the city the best gift would win; Cecrops would be the judge and his decision would be final. Poseidon was first and he lifted his trident and struck the earth with it. A beautiful spring shot forth, but unfortunately for Posiedon the spring was of salt-water.

Athena knelt and buried an olive tree into the group. This gift gave the Athenians the olives, oil, and wood. Cecrops deemed Athena's the better gift. As the winner, Athena named the city after herself.