The Acropolis of Athens

The word “Acropolis” means the edge of the city, and there are many similar Acropolis throughout Greece. They were always built on a high point, and were often used as a shelter and place of defense against various enemies.

The Acropolis of Athens is the most famous of all, and is therefore often referred to as “The Acropolis”. Towering over the capital, the Acropolis is a very impressive sight and gives a real sense of the grandeur of the ancient Greeks.

Mythology:

The founder of Athens, according to mythology, was King Cecrops. He had been born of the earth and was half man and half snake. He taught the inhabitants many arts, as well as burial customs, and decided which god would protect the city.

There were two candidates: the goddess Athena and the god Poseidon. In order to prove their worth, and perhaps to bribe the people, each presented a gift.

Poseidon struck his trident on the rock of the Acropolis, and a spring of salt water gushed forth. The people ran to drink the water, but the water was not drinkable because it was seawater, since Poseidon was the god of the sea.

Then Athena touched the ground, and an olive tree grew. This turned out to be a much more useful gift than seawater and so Cecrops decided that Athena would be the protector of the city – thus the city got its name. The wooden statue of Athena that originally stood on the Acropolis was believed to have fallen from the sky.