Athens | Cradle of Philosophy and Largest City in Ancient Greece

Many things have been said about Athens and, still, they don’t seem to be enough. Greece’s capital, Athens, sits on its shores and has a history dating back over 3,000 years. Bearing the name of the goddess of wisdom, Athena, the role of Athens has been substantial for both Ancient and Modern Greece.

Athens Key Facts

Overview

Athens is and has always been a bustling metropolis, a city where ancient and modern history not only coexist, but also complement one another. Athens, a city of millions, is a place where unbearable traffic meets cobblestone streets, modern art meets ancient ceramics, and alternative bars meet taverns serving delicious food – all in the shadow of the sacred marble of the Acropolis.

Let’s learn more about this one-of-a-kind city, with a focus on its mythological and historical significance, as well as which places you can visit to feel like you’re a part of its timeless yet relevant heritage.

Practical travel tips 

Before we get into everything Athens has to offer, including the remnants of Ancient Athens in today’s modern city, let’s look at some practical travel tips to help you make the most of your visit.

Getting There

Athens is a very easy-to-reach city, with the Athens Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport (ATH) handling hundreds of international flights per day. The town is easily accessible from the airport by taxi, bus lines X93 and X95, as well as the Metro Line 3 which will lead you to the center of Athens in about half an hour. 

Accessibility

Athens is a large city, so the terrain can range from very flat to very steep. The city center is mostly flat, and many popular attractions are within walking distance. As long as you stay close to the center, the city is very walkable, with a comprehensive public transportation system that isn’t the best, but is still dependable.

Even though a few people ride bikes every day, the city is not designed for it. Also, in terms of accessibility, ramps and elevators may not be available everywhere, and sidewalks may be narrow and/or in poor condition.

Best Time to Visit

In contrast to the Greek Islands, Athens can be difficult to navigate during the summer due to high temperatures and the burning sun (which feels very different when you’re at the beach than when you’re walking through town). Visit the city in the spring or autumn when the weather is still mild and you can walk around and enjoy the sights.

Duration of Visit

While 4-5 days is sufficient to visit the main attractions and museums, it is strongly advised to spend as much time as possible seeing every attraction and place of historical and artistic significance, walk around town, and sample the delicious cuisine.

Budgeting

Athens is less expensive than most Greek islands and European capitals. It provides a variety of options, ranging from very affordable to high-end culinary experiences. While it depends on what you do and which neighborhoods you visit, expect a mid-range experience.

Local Amenities

Athens has everything a visitor might need when visiting a city: free Wi-Fi in many places, ATMs almost everywhere, and many people nowadays speak English – at least the majority of people under the age of 40 or 45. Don’t forget that tap water is safe to drink anywhere!

Athens in Greek Mythology

As expected, Athens was a city at the center of Greek history and myth. Though it was mostly a historical city, there are several myths associated with it, as evidenced by the large monuments erected there.

The Birth of Athena

Athena, the goddess of wisdom and patroness of Athens was born directly from the head of her father, Zeus. Hesiod in his Theogony describes that Zeus had married the goddess Metis (long before Hera). When Metis got pregnant, Zeus feared that the unborn child would overthrow him and he decided to swallow Metis whole, as a means of not letting the child be born.

However, things did not go as planned. When Zeus married Hera many years later, he suddenly developed a severe headache. He then ordered Hephaestus to strike his head to relieve the headache. Hephaestus complied, and Athena emerged from Zeus’ head, fully armed.

Hephaestus and Athena had a very close relationship, as gods of the theoretical and practical knowledge. The Temple of Hephaestus in the Agora of Athens was decorated with imagery related to Athena.

The Patronage of Athens

When Athens was still known as Cecropia after its first king, Cecrops, it had no patron deity. Cecrops decided Athens needed patronage, and Athena and Poseidon expressed interest. It would be decided by a contest: both deities would present the citizens of Cecropia with a gift on the hill of Acropolis, and they would make their decision.

Poseidon went first, striking the ground with his trident and causing water to spring out. Athena then struck her spear on the hill, and an olive tree sprouted. The Cecropians quickly realized that Poseidon’s water was salty sea water, which they couldn’t use. In contrast, the olive tree would provide them with sustenance, food, resources (wood), and shade during hot weather.

Athena became the patroness of Athens, but Poseidon was furious. To appease him, the Cecropians decided to construct the great temple of Erechtheion near where the water had sprung. Poseidon was appeased, and the city was named after Athena, for whom the magnificent Parthenon was constructed.

Erichthonius, the Legendary King of Athens

Another myth associated with Athens is that of Erichthonius, an ancient King of Athens. It all began when Hephaestus attempted to pursue Athena sexually, but she brushed him off, and his sperm ended up on her thigh. Athena wiped it away in disgust, and it ended up on the ground. 

An infant sprung from the fertilized Earth, in the form of half-human and half-serpent and was named Erichthonius. Athena decided to nurture the child. She hid him in a box while she was away, carrying rocks to construct her temple on the Acropolis hill. Cecrops’ daughters were to guard the box, but only if they agreed not to open it. They disobeyed the order and, upon seeing the child, went insane and fell from the Acropolis hill.

Athena found out from a crow and became enraged. She dropped a huge rock on the ground and at the place it fell, the Lycabettus Hill was created. Erichthonius grew up to become the legendary King of Athens.

Athens in Ancient Greek History

An article cannot fully convey the significance of Athens in Ancient Greece. Athens, a place inhabited for at least the past 7,000 years, a leading trading center since 900 BC, and a pillar of Greek culture and economy, particularly in the 5th century BC, was a dominant force in the Helladic region. The establishment of democracy, patronage of all arts, and Athens’ strategic location elevated the city to the status of “queen of Hellas” for a few brief but pivotal centuries.

The Ancient City of Athens

The area where modern Athens now stands has been inhabited for over 7 millennia. The city of Ancient Athens, as we know it from history, is much more recent. Athens, originally a Mycenean settlement, flourished after the ninth century BC and became one of Hellas’ most important cities between the seventh and fourth centuries BC.

While it is unclear whether Athens was destroyed during the Dorian invasion at the end of the 13th century, it did experience economic decline for approximately 150 years. As evidenced by a few Iron Age burials, Ancient Athens flourished after 900 BC.

Classical Athens

During these years of prosperity, Athens managed to become an urban center. It unified many of Attica’s towns and became a prosperous state. Various politicians were appointed to try to quell the populace’s unrest, ranging from extremely austere policies (Draco) to milder reforms and a new constitution (Solon in 594 BC).

Solon’s reforms benefited the majority of the native Athenian population: land was divided into smaller pieces and distributed, trade and commerce were liberalized, and slavery was abolished for Athenians. The Athenians were divided into four classes based on their wealth, but now each class had political rights. The classical Athenian democracy was founded. However, the following years saw much political turmoil, from tyrant Peisistratus seizing power to Cleisthenes restoring democracy with numerous reforms.

Still, Athens became the birthplace of democracy, with people gathering in Ancient Agora to debate and argue, vote and judge. It was a thriving commercial and cultural hub, with theaters throughout the city, as well as ongoing feasts and symposia. 

Ancient Athens and the Wars

Athens was also a military center, holding a strategic position during the Persian and Peloponnesian Wars.

While Sparta wielded considerable power at the start of the fifth century, Athens had also begun to gain strength. During the Persian wars, the two cities allied and successfully defended Greece against the Persians. This victory allowed Athens to form the Delian League, an alliance of various Greek city-states, particularly those in the Aegean.

This alliance nearly bankrupted the city-states, while Athens gathered resources and funds to construct a true modern (for the time) metropolis, a thriving center of culture, commerce, and education. It became the pillar of democracy, and most of the great monuments we see today were built during this time. Philosophy and the arts flourished as well. Still, all of this came at the expense of the allies, who began to express their dissatisfaction.

Sparta formed a coalition of land-based city-states to attack Athens, which had its own coalition of increasingly disgruntled allies. This sparked the Peloponnesian War, which resulted in the defeat of Athens and further political uprising. Athens retained its independence and served as a pillar of the arts and philosophy until the Macedonian conquest.

Athens Evolved Over Time

In contrast to many other ancient cities, Athens was never abandoned; instead, it grew increasingly modern, incorporating a variety of cultural, religious, and historical elements over time. Visitors can still see many remnants of Ancient Athens today, including the Parthenon, the Dionysus Theater, the Erechtheion, and the Temple of Hephaestus. Of course, remnants of the past can be found almost anywhere, from a couple of broken columns to ceramics in a metro station.

Throughout the Roman period, Athens remained an important city in Greece, with various buildings constructed, including the Roman Agora and the Temple of Olympian Zeus. The passing of Byzantines, Franks and Ottomans led Athens to a more difficult period, though it was never abandoned and always served as a major cultural and historical center.

Since its independence from the Ottoman Empire, Athens has grown significantly stronger, becoming the political, economic, and cultural capital of the newly formed kingdom and later the country of Greece. Remnants of Athens’ various periods and eras can still be found throughout the city today, a testament to the city’s long-lasting glory.

Exploring the Location: Athens

Athens is a big metropolis, a meeting point of the ancient and the modern, the classic and the alternative, of many cultures and eras. There are numerous sites, museums, parks, hills, theaters, and art exhibitions that you can visit while staying in Athens – and that is why visiting Athens can be done in 3 days, 10 days or a whole month, and there still will be things you can see. This section will focus more on the places of historical significance.

In and Around the Citadel of Acropolis

The greatest archaeological site in Athens is the citadel/hill of Acropolis. A citadel of great military, religious, political and cultural importance, houses many archaeological remains of great importance – some in a greater state than the others.

A visit to the “sacred rock” is necessary, as you will not only be able to witness history unfolding before your eyes, but also enjoy some of the best views of the city. The Parthenon, Erechtheum, the Theater of Dionysus, and Temple of Athena are among the most important monuments. You can also visit the Odeon of Herodes Atticus, a stone Roman theatre that is still in use; if you’re lucky, you might be able to see a concert or play while admiring the nocturnal Acropolis.

There are several sites and monuments to visit near the sacred rock. The nearest one is the Areopagus, Ares’ hill, where the Ancient Athenian council met. If you decide to climb the hill, you will have the best view of the Acropolis. The Philopappos hill and Roman monument are on the other side of the road, and they provide a breath of green inside the city as well as a beautiful all-around view of the urban area, from the mountains in the north to the port of Piraeus.

After basking in the view of the ancient philosophers, you can visit the Plaka neighborhood, which features small cobblestone streets, neoclassical buildings, traditional cafes, and local shops for an authentic view of old Athens. During the evening, the scent of the flowers can be mesmerizing.

Ancient Agora (and surroundings)

Strolling from the Acropolis to the neighborhoods of Thiseio (Theseum) and Monastiraki, passing by the Areopagus and the Pnyx hill, you enter the second site with a large number of monuments: the Ancient Agora and its surroundings.

Ancient Agora, a place of trading and philosophical meandering, has been a gathering place for over 5,000 years. The Temple of Hephaestus, one of the best-preserved Greek temples dating back to the fifth century BC, can be found in the Ancient Agora area. The Museum of Ancient Agora is also housed in the Stoa of Attalos.

A few steps further you can also catch a glimpse of the Roman Agora, which was built in the first century BC. There, you can find the Tower of the Winds (Aerides), one of the first meteorological centers of the world. Around there you can also find the remains of Hadrian’s Library. It was constructed in the 2^nd century AD to house papyri. 

After that stroll, the vibrant neighborhoods of Monastiraki and Psyrri, which are packed with restaurants, bars, and local shops, are only a few steps away!

Kerameikos

Kerameikos is a significant archaeological site, despite the fact that there are few remains to be found. It served as the place where potters used to work (as indicated by its name, which refers to ceramics), as well as an ancient burial site. Really close to the metro station of Thiseio, if you have a quick hour to spare.

Lycabettus

If you want to do a quick hike, then mount Lycabettus – the rock that Athena supposedly dropped on the ground – is the best choice for you. To climb this steep hill, you can either walk for 15-45 minutes (depending on your fitness level and the weather), take the funicular, or take a taxi. On top, there is the Lycabettus Amphitheater. It has recently been renovated and is now used for plays and concerts, as well as a café/restaurant. Even if you don’t want to visit any of these, the view from the top of the hill will reward you.

Panathenaic Stadium

Our guide would be incomplete without mentioning the Panathenaic Stadium. It is a historic stadium that dates back to 300 BC and has hosted numerous athletic events throughout history. It also hosted the first modern Olympic Games in 1896. The stadium can be an interesting stop before heading to the National Gardens for a walk through a beautiful green area in the heart of Athens.

Museums of Athens

Finally, the city of Athens hosts a variety of museums with both ancient and modern collections. Below are some of the museums you should definitely visit if you have the time:

Last Thoughts

Concluding our journey through the ancient city of Athens, it’s difficult not to reflect on the city’s historical significance. From the mythological battle between Athena and Poseidon to the first glimpse of democracy. Athens is a city of great importance for the Western civilization.

However, Athens is more than just ancient ruins and relics. It is a vibrant, bustling metropolis that continues to thrive today. With just a few days in Athens you might feel obligated to visit all of the historical sites. Instead I recommend that you take a break and enjoy the wonderful views, vibrant bars, modern art exhibitions, and gastronomy of the city. I promise you that it will reward any visitor, regardless of what they want to do or see.

FAQs about Ancient Athens

Featured Image Credit: George E. Koronaios, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons