Cradle of World Civilization: Athens Unveils Its Myths

As the myth has it, the city’s first king Cecrops, a half-man half-snake, had to choose the patron god for the city.

Above: The Athens Acropolis is seen behind a branch of a blooming tree on February 27, 2010. The buildings which dominate the Acropolis - including the Parthenon, the Erechtheion, the Propylaea and the temple of Athena Nike - were built in the fifth century BC, during the golden age of Athenian democracy.

The God of the Sea Poseidon rivaled with Athena, the goddess of wisdom, arts, crafts, justice and war strategy.

Above: A man carries rolls of paper towels in central Athens on Wednesday, February 19, 2014.

The one who made the best gift, would become the patron, King Cecrops ruled.

Above: Presidential guards parade during the weekly change of guards at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in front of the Greek Parliament in Athens on Sunday, June 9, 2013.

Poseidon struck the ground with his trident, and water welled up. It would be a good gift for the hot region, but it was salt water.

Above: A street barber gives a man a haircut at Psiri area central in Athens, on Monday February 10, 2014.

Athena planted an olive tree, the symbol of wisdom and well-being, and won the competition. Olive trees are now one of the symbols of Greece, and olive oil is one of the pillars of its economy.

Above: Fireworks burst over the ancient temple of Parthenon atop the Acropolis hill in Athens on January 1, 2012.

So the city was named after the goddess. Some say, however, that the name originates from a word that means “flower.”

Above: Visitors look at antiquities at the National Archaeological museum in Athens on March 18, 2012.

Plato said that Egyptian oracles told Solon that the flourishing city of Athens existed as early as in 9,600 years BC.

Above: A projection depicting core-women statues is seen under the Parthenon hall on the new Acropolis museum building during the rehearsal of the opening ceremony on June 18, 2009.

The myth about Theseus and the Minotaur shows close ties between Athens and Crete back in the Minoan epoch, when Theseus’ father ruled Athens.

Above: Plaka and Lycabettus, Athens, Greece. View from the Areopagus Hill.

Athens sided with Mycenae during the Trojan War, and sent nearly 3,000 soldiers headed by King Menestheus to fight Troy, the legend tells us.

Above: A demonstrator performs in front of the ancient Parthenon temple on the Acropolis hill during a demonstration for the return of the long-disputed Elgin Marbles from Britain to Greece, one day before the official opening of the New Acropolis museum, in Athens on June 19, 2009.

Draco became the first legislator of Athens. He issued a written code in 621 BC. Those rules were very severe, and even now harsh laws are referred to as “draconian.”

Above: Pigeons sit on a wire in front of a graffito, called "The Prayer" in the center of Athens on February 4, 2015.

During the Golden Age of Athens under the rule of Pericles, the city became the intellectual and cultural center of Europe.

Above: Tourists climb on a rock near the Acropolis hill in Athens June 18, 2015.

Thucydides described Pericles as “the prime man among Athenians”: he possessed the merits of intellect, eloquence, patriotism and unselfishness.

Above: This Monday, April 18, 2011 photo shows tourists as they walk outside the gate of the ancient Roman agora in Athens, Greece.

Pericles strove for the hegemony of the Athenian democracy.

Above: Tourists look at the Herodes Atticus theatre, at the Acropolis hill in Athens June 1, 2015.

But never-ending conflicts with the Persian empire led to the collapse of Hellenism.

Above: A driver in his taxi passes by the parliament building during a pro-government rally calling on Greece's European and International Monetary creditors to soften their stance in the cash-for-reforms talks in Athens, June 17, 2015.

The city suffered the invasions by the Romans, Turks, Germans.

Above: A man walks by a wall adorned with graffiti in Athens on March 8, 2012.

On September 3, 1843, a revolution toppled the absolute monarchy and replaced it with a constitutional monarchy.

Above: A tourist is reflected in a rain puddle as she walks past the 2,400-year-old temple of Ifestos in the ancient Agora of Athens, Greece on Friday, November 24, 2006.

Seven especially renowned sages who lived in the 7th century BC are referred to as The Seven Sages, or Seven Wise Men: Cleobulus, Solon (representing Athens), Chilon, Bias, Thales, Pittacus, and Periander.

Above: A musician plays for customers in a traditional tavern in Athens old Plaka district on April 8, 2010.

Now, Athens is a beautiful city attracting tourists en masse with its ancient architecture and rich history.
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Above: Visitors take pictures in front of the Parthenon temple atop the Acropolis hill in Athens, June 14, 2015.