Who is Athens in ancient Greece? Ancient Athens

The history of Ancient Greece is divided into several main periods according to the main center of cultural development. Athens is associated primarily with classical cultural era. However, mentions of this city are also found in connection with a civilization that developed much earlier on the island of Crete. This famous myth about the Minotaur, in which the opposing parties were the king of the island of Crete Minos and the son of the king of Athens Aegeus Theseus. There is a connection with Athens in the legend of Daedalus and Icarus. Therefore, it will be interesting to trace the history of the development of Athenian culture both from the point of view of mythology and from the point of view of historical facts.

Who should own it?

And we will begin, or rather have already begun, with mythology, as the most important aspect in the spiritual life of the Greeks.

The legends do not say exactly when Athens arose. However, there is a vivid story about the first ruler of the city in myths. And this belief is about the dispute between Athena and Poseidon. Briefly about what happened and how it all ended. They argued, of course, for power over the rich port city. The winner was the one who made the most expensive gift to its residents. Poseidon hit the ground with his trident, and from there hammered a key. The townspeople were delighted: with fresh water It was very difficult here - there was almost no water, there was only the salty sea nearby. They rushed to the source and, oh, horror! Disappointment! The water coming out of it was also salty...

Then Athena began to create and grew an olive tree. But no fresh water, there are no plants. But the olive was very tenacious and suitable for local natural conditions. The townspeople rejoiced: both food and oil for various needs. Well, greens too. And as a reward for such a priceless gift, the inhabitants of the city recognized Athena as its ruler. And the name was given in her honor. This is how the city began to be called - the city of the goddess Athena, or simply Athens.

Athenians and Cretans

Returning to the story of the Labyrinth of the Minotaur, we come to the very ancient period Greek civilization, which is also often called Cretan. This is the time of confrontation between Crete and Athens in the person of their rulers Minos and Aegeus. The story of the construction of a labyrinth on the island of Crete for a terrible monster - half-man, half-bull - the son of Minos, who demands human victims to be devoured. These bodies were to be paid as tribute to Minos by the Athenian king Aegeus. For Aegeus himself, the story of liberation from the terrible and shameful tribute ended tragically. Let me remind you that he threw himself off a cliff into the sea after learning that the sail on the returning ship remained black. This meant that his miraculously found son Theseus died in the Labyrinth. In honor of the Aegean, the sea began to be called the Aegean.

The fate of the creator of the Labyrinth Daedalus, a native of Athens, who left his homeland due to persecution over accidental death his talented nephew, for whose murder Daedalus was accused. During his flight from Crete, Minos took him under his wing. During his stay with the king, Daedalus built the famous castle - the Labyrinth. Since Minos did not want to let the skilled craftsman go, he decided to flee. Flying through the sky on made of bird feathers and with wax on their wings, Daedalus and Icarus never reached their new refuge: Icarus, having risen high towards the sun, fell and crashed into the water, and the inconsolable Daedalus sank on the nearest island, where he spent the rest of his days in grief. But his memory remained to live in the works he created in his native Athens.

Athens and Troy

Next period Greek culture, after the death of the Cretan civilization from a flood that occurred due to an earthquake on the neighboring island of Thera, I associate the myths of the ancient Greeks with the period of the Trojan War, in which many policies of Ancient Greece, including Athens. In history, this period is called Mycenaean - according to the main thing cultural center Mycenaean civilization.

But let's return to the myths. Youngest son King of Troy Priam Paris, then still a simple shepherd, was chosen by Zeus as a judge in the dispute between three goddesses for the title of most beautiful. He handed the famous apple of discord to Aphrodite, thereby angering the most powerful Athena and Hera. And they did not forget the insult, taking the side of the Achaean army a little later.

Paris, having stolen from Sparta from King Menelaus his wife - the beautiful Helen, whose love Aphrodite gave him as a reward - took her to his native Troy. Menelaus called for vengeance, and everyone responded to the call greatest men Hellas, including his friend, King Agamemnon of Athens.

The Danaan army, led by Achilles and Agamemnon, besieged Troy, and the siege lasted ten whole years. During this time, many lost their lives: Achilles' friend Patroclus, Paris's brother Hector, Achilles himself, Laocoon and his sons, and many residents of Troy, which was later sacked and burned. After some time, death overtook Paris's sister. prophetic Cassandra, taken into slavery by Agamemnon. On the way home, Cassandra gave birth to sons to the Athenian king, but upon arrival at their homeland in Athens, all of them, together with Anamemnon, were killed by his wife.

The era of classical Greece: the beginning

Now let's talk about the time when the Athenian state began to emerge. This era arose several centuries after mysterious death Mycenaean civilization. During this period, in the central region of Ancient Greece, Attica, city-states began to form, with adjacent arable lands called policies. IN different times there was an elevation of first some territories, then others. All policies of Ancient Greece fought for leading position. Especially Sparta and Athens.

Because Athenian lands were not rich in water and fertile soils, here for the most part it was not agriculture and cattle breeding that developed, but crafts. Already in the VIII-VII centuries. BC e. was opened in Athens large number workshops of potters, blacksmiths, shoemakers, who sold their goods in shops. On the outskirts of Athens, viticulture and olive growing, as well as the production of olive oil, developed.

Administration of Athens in the pre-democratic period

Until the 7th century. BC e. In the city, only the nobility were allowed to govern. The Areopagus, who sat on the hill of the god Mars and consisted of nine elected archons, held power in his hands. They not only ruled Athens, but also administered justice, mostly unfair, adhering to the interests of the nobility. But the most odious figure of the archons during the existence of this form of government was Drakon, who issued absurd and cruel laws.

Life was bad for ordinary residents of Ancient Athens. They had small, most infertile plots of land where almost nothing could be grown. Therefore, in order to pay taxes, they were forced to borrow at interest from the noble and rich. And since they could not pay the so-called payments, they gradually handed over their children, wives, and even themselves into slavery to those to whom they owed money. This type of captivity was called debt captivity, and marking stones were placed on the borrowers’ plots for evidence.

Resentment against debt slavery gradually grew among the demos and artisans, which eventually led to a revolt.

Athenian Democracy: Basics

Let's start by defining the essence of the concept itself: in literal translation the word "democracy" means "power of the people" (demos - people).

Origins in Athens new form control occurred in the 6th century. BC e. and is associated with the administration of Archon Solon.

After the revolt of the demos, a truce was concluded between him and the nobility and joint elections of the Areopagus were held. Solon, a native of Athens, who was engaged in an honorable business - maritime trade, who came from noble family, but who did not have any special wealth, who learned work early, was honest, just and wise. He establishes new laws in Athens and, above all, abolishes debt slavery. It was important event in the history of Ancient Athens. According to the laws of Solon, even humble citizens, but always rich ones, could now be elected to archons. In addition, to resolve the most important matters, they began to convene a National Assembly, which included all the free men of Athens.

An elected court was also established and many of Draco's laws were repealed. Judges were chosen from among all citizens of Athens, regardless of class and income, who were at least 30 years old. The main condition was the absence of bad deeds. At the trial, in addition to the accused and the accuser, they began to listen to witnesses. The decision on guilt or innocence was made by secret ballot with white and black stones.

All debt slaves were set free and were responsible to those to whom they owed money only with their property.

Results of Solon's activities

In general, Solon's attempts to establish democracy in the Athenian state were only partially resolved. The main drawback of his activities should be considered the unresolved land issue: fertile lands, in abundance in the hands of the rich and nobility, were never selected and distributed evenly among all citizens. This displeased the demos. And the nobility was indignant at the fact that they were deprived of cheap slaves and the right to receive from debtors the previous taxes that had been forgiven.

The Rise of Democracy in Ancient Athens

The beginning of this period is associated with the victory of the Greeks over the Persians and the reign of Pericles. State structure Ancient Athens under Pericles was characterized updated system management. This was the 5th century BC. The entire demos of Athens participated in the administration, no matter whether they were distinguished by their nobility by origin, or were considered rich or poor.

The main governing body was the People's Assembly, which could include all Athenian male citizens upon reaching 20 years of age. Meeting 3-4 times a month, the assembly not only managed the treasury, resolved issues of war and peace, and government, but also elected ten strategists for one year of rule, the main of whom was the first. Pericles for a long time kept this position in his hands due to universal respect.

An advisory body, the Council of Five Hundred, also participated in the governance of the Athenian state. But even if he was against the proposal, it was still put to a vote in the People's Assembly.

Thanks to the activities of Pericles, paid bureaucratic positions were introduced in Athens. This was necessary so that not only the rich took part in governing the state, but also poor farmers.

In addition, during the reign of Pericles, the city actively developed and flourished, and the culture of Ancient Athens reached incredible high level. His power lasted fifteen years.

Athens under Pericles

The description of Ancient Athens should begin from the very heart of the city - the Acropolis - a hill on which, thanks to Pericles and Phidias, the greatest architectural and sculptural monuments of Greek culture were erected: the Parthenon, the Erechtheion, the Temple of Nike Apteros, the Propylaea, the Theater of Dionysus, the Pinakothek, and a unique statue of the goddess Athena. .

Served as the center of the city main square Ancient Athens - Agora. Here was the main city market, temples to the gods, porticoes for conversations and meetings, a building for meetings of the Council of Five Hundred and the Round Building, in which its representatives carried out round-the-clock watch in times of danger.

An interesting place for the “poor” of Athens was the district of potters and craftsmen, Keramik, where the amazing ancient Greek art of vase painting was born.

On the outskirts of Athens, on the shore Mediterranean Sea The main Athenian port of Piraeus is located, consisting of one commercial and two military harbors, a shipyard and a market. The road from Piraeus to Athens was protected by Long Walls.

Under Pericles, Ancient Athens became the largest craft, cultural and commercial center.

The city of Athens, the capital of sunny and beautiful Greece, shrouded in many myths and legends, is located on the plain of Attica, and its coast is washed by the picturesque Saronicos Gulf.

A city, the mention of which brings to mind amazing ancient greek myths with their passions and battles of the gods, is one of the favorite places of travelers from all over globe. A huge number of cultural monuments, exquisite and unique national cuisine, gentle waters Aegean Sea, a developed entertainment infrastructure and, of course, the ancient ruins of temples and sanctuaries attract to Athens all, without exception, connoisseurs of ancient attractions and tourists who want to have a quality and inexpensive vacation.

Athens Acropolis

Prices for holidays in Greece, in particular in Athens, are really low when compared with prices for holidays in other EU countries.

IN present moment the population of the capital of Greece, including small suburbs, is just over 4,000,000 people. In addition, due to the availability of jobs, about half a million people from other countries live in Athens non-permanently. Greece cannot be called a populous country; more than a third of the population now lives in its capital and nearby suburbs. If you look at a map of Athens, you will notice that from the land side the city is surrounded by mountains: Imito, Pendeli and Parnitha.

We can say that the city is located in a kind of pool created by nature itself. On the one hand, this is the natural protection of the city, and on the other hand, the mountains and the Saronic Gulf limit the area of ​​Athens and do not allow them to go beyond natural barriers. Due to high density the city's population and technological progress, Athens suffers from a temperature inversion effect. In summer it is very hot in Greece, tourists should definitely remember this, especially those who suffer from cardiovascular diseases. But winter here can sometimes be frosty, and snow is nothing new for Athenians.

Temple of Olympian Zeus

History of the name of the city

The overwhelming majority of historians say that the name of the capital of Greece comes from the name of the goddess Pallas Athena, although, in fairness, it is worth noting that there is another version. A very interesting myth is that it tells how exactly the city got its name. In ancient times, a settlement near the Gulf of Saronicos was ruled by a king named Kekropos. He was only half human; instead of legs, he had a snake's tail. The ruler, born of the goddess Gaia, had to decide quite difficult task and choose who will be the patron of his village. After thinking, he said that the one from the gods who gives the best gift to the city will become its patron. Immediately Zeus’s brother Poseidon appeared before the people and struck the rocky ground with his trident with all his might. A huge fountain soared up from this place: people ran up to it, but immediately returned back with gloomy faces: the water in the fountain was the same as in the sea, salty and undrinkable. After Poseidon appeared to the inhabitants beautiful Athena Pallas, she showed people an olive tree that quickly grew out of the ground. Kekrop and the population of the city rejoiced and recognized Athena as the patroness of the city.

Temple of the Erechtheion

Thus, the city, surrounded by three mountains and located near a sea bay, received its name - Athens. After this, Poseidon was angry with Athens, and the shortage of life-giving moisture is felt in the city even today (and all this in a subtropical semi-desert climate). Sacrifices, gifts and the construction of the temple of Poseidon at Cape Sounion did not help. Some historians do not agree with this myth and insist that the name of the capital of Greece occurred as a result of a slight change in the word “Athos,” which can be literally translated into Russian as flower.

Athens - a little history

Back in 500 BC, Athens flourished: the city's inhabitants were rich, culture and science were developing. The prosperity of the center of Ancient Greece was put to an end by the Great Roman Empire around the beginning of the 300s BC. 500 years after the Savior came to our world, the Byzantine Empire decided to close numerous philosophical schools in Athens and put an end to the prosperity of pagan cults. It was from this period of time that the capital of Greece turned from a rich city into a small provincial town, for which a war was waged between the French and Italians for many centuries. It could not be otherwise; from Athens it was possible to go out to the open sea and conduct profitable trade. The strategic location of the ancient city is difficult to overestimate even today.

Academy of Athens

A serious blow to Athens came in 1458, the year when the city was captured by the Turks and included by them in the composition of the huge Ottoman Empire. In those days, most of the inhabitants of Athens died from overwork for the benefit of the Ottoman Empire and from hunger. At this time, the Byzantines tried to regain control of Athens, and the city often became the scene of bloody battles. During them, many priceless historical and architectural monuments were destroyed, in particular, the well-known ancient Greek temple of the Parthenon.

Only 1833 brought relief to the small population of Athens, when the city finally became again the capital of the free Greek Kingdom. By the way, at that moment less than 5,000 (!) people lived in the capital. The population grew rapidly to 2,000,000 people already in 1920, when the descendants of native Athenians, who had been expelled by the Turks in their time, began to return to their homeland. Asia Minor. The beginning of the 20th century was also marked by increased interest in the city’s many attractions: huge amount archaeologists began to carry out excavations on the territory of Athens, and restorers tried to return architectural monuments to at least a semblance of their former greatness. Work was stopped only during the Second World War: the Nazis needed access to the sea and they occupied Greece in a short period of time.

Temple of Hephaestus

Modern Athens

No matter how strange it may sound, it is the Second World War, or rather its ending, marked the beginning of a new prosperity for Athens. Industry is developing rapidly in the capital and there is active trade with many countries of the world. Greece flourished until 1980: huge number tourists interested in ancient sights and the history of the country bring significant income to the budget. In 1981, as everyone knows, Greece joined the European Union, which brought the Athenians not only the joy of affordable loans and a rapidly developing economy, but also problems with overpopulation and movement around the city.

At the moment, Athens attracts travelers from all over the globe with its attractions, among which are the Theater of Dionysus, the Temple of Hephaestus, the Temple of Olympian Zeus, the Athenian Agora and, of course, the majestic Acropolis. The city has more than 200 large museums, where you can see unique exhibits dating back to the 500s BC. The first museum to travel agencies We recommend that you pay attention to this - this is the Benaki Museum, where you can get acquainted with cultural objects and ethnographic materials that will “tell” the history of the once great, powerful, invincible Athens, famous for its philosophers.

Arch of Hadrian

In addition to numerous attractions, a traveler who is brought to Athens will be able to appreciate what an incessant, cheerful “nightlife” shimmering with thousands of neon lights is. The capital of Greece has a huge number of restaurants, large and small bars, discos and nightclubs. Everything in the city is done to ensure that a tourist who comes to Athens feels as comfortable and relaxed as possible.

General information

Athens is not a resort destination, unlike many others Greek cities, which attract tourists with their sunny beaches. The cultural capital of Greece is rich in history and has many famous attractions. Therefore, neither the smog reigning in the air over the city, nor the modest architecture of the houses local residents do not repel guests of Athens who want to join the rich cultural heritage of the cradle of European civilization.

Many visitors to Athens are surprised at how the streets of the capital transform at nightfall. A sultry day scorched by the sun turns into an incendiary noisy night, many people walk along the streets, changing bars and cafes, enjoying communication and live music. Local establishments are open all night in Athens, local delicious food and drinks are served in cafes until 3-4 am. During the warm season, all events - exhibitions, bazaars, performances and concerts - take place on fresh air. Bars and cafes, discos and clubs also invite guests to relax in open areas. Well developed in Athens transport network, which facilitates quick movement around the city.

Athens experienced its dawn many centuries ago. As for its origins, they are lost in the mists of time. Today it is the capital of Greece, and in size - largest city the country that gave the world Homer, ancient heroes, and Olympic competitions. This is a city where ancient traditions and modern life form a single whole. It is impossible to find a similar city in Europe, because the cradle greatest civilization remains unique for centuries.

History of the city

The ancient city of Athens is one of the most famous historical monuments Greece. The exact date of the founding of this city is unknown, however reliable fact is that the heyday of Athens occurred in the 5th century BC. The ancient city, playing a leading role in Ancient Greece along with Sparta, became one of the cradles of ancient Greek culture.

This old city has had its fair share of historical eras, replacing one after another. Athens witnessed the heyday of the Golden Age of Greece, the age of heroes and great achievements. The best experts in crafts lived here, numerous trade routes ran here, and warriors were famous for their courage and strength. Athens was one of the most important cities in Greece until the rise of the Roman Empire.

This is interesting
Tradition says that when the city of Athens was still a small village, King Kekrop, who ruled in those places, who had the appearance of a half-man, half-snake, decided to choose a patron for the city and the people living in that area. He announced that only the one of the gods who would present the city with the best and best will become a patron. useful gift. Immediately the mighty Poseidon, the ruler of the seas, appeared before the astonished people and shook the earth with his trident. On the spot powerful blow a fountain soared into the sky, but the people’s joy was short-lived, because the water in it turned out to be salty. Then the beautiful and wise Pallas Athena appeared, presenting people with a wonderful olive tree. They liked the gift and, jubilantly, the residents of the city proclaimed the one who later protected Odysseus during his wanderings as the patroness of the city.

This is interesting
"Draconian methods" or "Draconian laws" - quite famous expression among people. But few people know that draconian laws really existed. The origins of this expression are found in ancient Athens, in 621 BC. This year in Athens the very first set of rights for ordinary residents and rules of conduct. The creator of this arch was Dracon - Athenian statesman. The norms and rules prescribed in this decree were incredibly cruel. Based on the provisions of the created law, people could be executed, for example, for stealing vegetables, berries and fruits. According to data that has come down to our time, these laws were written in real human blood - this made the code seem much more terrible.
Later, other laws existed in other states, but no other set of laws and rules knew such terrible, cruel absurdity. Subsequent laws were never written in human blood. Now, when any person uses excessive methods of punishment or his terrible temper, we talk about him as a person who uses draconian methods in his behavior.

The cultural upsurge of Athens began in the 19th century. In 1833, the city was proclaimed the capital of the Kingdom of Greece, which was headed in 1834 by the Greek king Otto of Bavaria, who, intending to return the city to its former greatness, invited Leo von Klenze and Theophil von Hansen to Athens, who built several main streets in the neoclassical style, including Syntagma Square, the University of Athens, National Park, the Zappeion Exhibition Hall, and in 1896 the first modern Olympic Games.

At the beginning of the twentieth century, archaeological and restoration work began in the city, and in the 20s a Greek-Turkish agreement on population exchange was signed. The Athenians and their descendants expelled from Asia Minor by the Ottomans returned to their homeland, and the population of the city increased to two million. Also as a result Balkan Wars 1912-1913, according to the London and Bucharest treaties, Greece almost doubled its territory and population, and Athens very soon took its rightful place among European capitals.

During World War II, the city of Athens was occupied by German troops. After the defeat of Nazi Germany, Athens, as in Greece as a whole, began an accelerated period of development, which lasted until 1980, when the problem of overpopulation in the capital and the problem of transport first made themselves felt. In 1981, Greece joined the European Union, which brought Athens not only large investments, but also a number of urban-ecological problems that are still being solved to this day. A real breakthrough in the fight against smog in the 1990s was the introduction modern measures, and now smog does not appear today even at air temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius. Also, several transport highways and a new metro line for the 2004 Olympics were built in the city, which made it possible to get closer to solving the transport issue.

IN at the moment Athens is a large metropolis with ancient monuments, world famous " nightlife" And shopping centers top level.

Attractions

Athens is rich in history and cultural heritage. A tourist who is interested in painting and architecture will discover a lot of unique exhibits fine arts, archaic sculptures and samples of ancient stucco. In Athens there is a world-famous bronze image of Zeus; the creation date of this historical masterpiece is considered to be the 5th century BC.

Athens Acropolis

Coordinates: 37.971543, 23.725725

Each Greek polis had its own Acropolis, but not one of them can be compared with the splendor and monumentality of the Athenian one.

National Archaeological Museum in Athens

Coordinates: 37.988956, 23.732695

The largest museum in Greece and one of the largest museums in the world, with an area of ​​more than 8 thousand meters.

Byzantine Museum

Coordinates: 37.975381, 23.744542

In 1914, the Byzantine Museum was founded in Athens, dedicated to Byzantine and Christian art.

Athens is the capital of Greece, economic, cultural as well as administrative center of this state. The city is named after the famous ancient Greek goddess of wisdom and war, who is considered its patroness. This ancient city, which experienced its heyday more than two thousand years ago. Greece is the cradle of the greatest civilization, a city shrouded in legends that have come from time immemorial. Rich history Athens, full of unforgettable events, magnificent climatic conditions, as well as the beauty and originality of city streets and squares - all this arouses great interest in Greek capital among tourists who come here from different parts of the world.

Athens: brief information, some interesting facts

- This is the birthplace of the theater. In the ancient Greek theater, tragedies were staged to please the god of wine Dionysus, and viewing comedies was considered the lot of plebeians. Only men could play on the stage of the ancient Greek theater. Facial expressions were not used in ancient Greek theater; instead, masks were used to depict various emotions.
Athens has hosted the modern Olympic Games twice, including the very first, held in 1896. It is interesting that women were not allowed to participate in the first Olympics: all athletes (241 people) who came from fourteen countries were men. IN ancient greek athens The Olympic Games were also held, at which the best athletes of Ancient Greece competed among themselves in sportsmanship.

Athens is considered a city ancient gods who, according to mythology, lived on Mount Olympus.
The Greek capital is the most big city country and one of ancient cities peace.
The Greek city of Athens is the birthplace of many outstanding philosophers, politicians and writers: Sophocles, Pericles, Socrates, etc.
It is not customary to take off shoes in Athenian houses. Invitation to guests in Athens does not necessarily imply being treated to dinner or lunch; not all cities can boast of this.

Historical appearance of Athens

Greek city of Athens is one of the world's main centers of archaeological research. Many tourists who come here are attracted to the Greek capital by the opportunity to look into the past human civilization, touch its history, see the ruins of ancient buildings, admire unique monuments architecture and history. In the place where modern Athens is located today, people began to settle more than five thousand years ago, so the Greek capital has a huge number of monuments from different eras.

Information for tourists visiting Athens

Travelers coming to Athens in the summer have the opportunity not only to explore local attractions, but also to attend interesting performances staged in the amphitheater located at the foot of the Acropolis. They also have the opportunity to enjoy a holiday on the magnificent suburban beaches called the Athenian Riviera. Tourists wishing to avoid the heat and large crowds can come in winter: the mild Mediterranean climate makes this city attractive at any time of the year.

Archaeological exploration of Athens began in the 30s years XIX centuries, however, excavations became systematic only with the formation of the French, German and English archaeological schools in Athens in the 70-80s. Literary sources and archaeological material that have survived to this day help to reconstruct the history of the Athenian polis. Main literary source on the history of Athens during the formation of the state - “The Athenian Polity” by Aristotle (IV century BC).

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Formation of the Athenian state

Hellenistic era

During the Hellenistic period, when Greece became an arena of struggle between major Hellenistic states, the position of Athens changed several times. There were short periods when they managed to achieve relative independence; in other cases, Macedonian garrisons were introduced into Athens. In 146 BC. e. Having shared the fate of all of Greece, Athens fell under the rule of Rome; being in the position of an ally city (lat. civitas foederata), they enjoyed only fictitious freedom. In 88 BC. e. Athens joined the anti-Roman movement raised by the Pontic king Mithridates VI Eupator. In 86 BC. e. The army of Lucius Cornelius Sulla took the city by storm and plundered it. Out of respect for the powerful past of Athens, Sulla preserved their fictitious freedom. In 27 BC. e. after the formation of the Roman province of Achaia, Athens became part of it. In the 3rd century AD. uh, when Balkan Greece began to be invaded by barbarians, Athens fell into complete decline.

Planning and architecture

Hills

• Akropolis Hill.
• Areopagus, that is, the hill of Ares - west of the Acropolis, gave its name to the highest judicial and governmental council of Ancient Athens, which held its meetings on the hillside.
• Nymphaeion, that is, the hill of nymphs, is southwest of the Areopagus.
• Pnyx - a semicircular hill southwest of the Areopagus; meetings of the ekklesia were originally held here, which were later moved to the Theater of Dionysus.
• Musaeion, that is, the Hill of Musaeus or Muses, now known as the Hill of Philopappou - south of the Pnyx and Areopagus.

Acropolis

Initially, the city occupied only the upper area of ​​the steep Acropolis hill, accessible only from the west, which served at the same time as a fortress, political and religious center, and the core of the entire city. According to legend, the Pelasgians leveled the top of the hill, surrounded it with walls and built an outer fortification on the western side with 9 gates located one after another. The ancient kings of Attica and their wives lived inside the castle. Here rose ancient temple, dedicated to Pallas Athena, along with whom Poseidon and Erechtheus were also revered (hence the temple dedicated to him was called Erechtheion).

The golden age of Pericles was also a golden age for the Acropolis of Athens. First of all, Pericles instructed the architect Ictinus to build a new, more magnificent Temple of the Virgin Athena - the Parthenon, on the site of the old Hekatompedon (Temple of Chaste Athena) destroyed by the Persians. Its splendor was enhanced by the numerous statues with which, under the leadership of Phidias, the temple was decorated, both outside and inside. Immediately after the completion of the Parthenon, which served as the treasury of the gods and for the celebration of the Panathenaia, in 438 BC. e. Pericles commissioned the architect Mnesicles to build a new magnificent gate at the entrance to the acropolis - Propylaea (437-432 BC). A staircase made of marble slabs, winding, led along the western slope of the hill to the portico, which consisted of 6 Doric columns, the gaps between which decreased symmetrically on both sides.

Agora

Part of the population, subject to the owners of the fortress (acropolis), eventually settled at the foot of the hill, mainly on its southern and southeastern side. It was here that the most ancient sanctuaries of the city were located, in particular dedicated to Olympian Zeus, Apollo, Dionysus. Then settlements appeared along the slopes that stretch west of the Acropolis. The lower city expanded even more when, as a result of the unification various parts, to which ancient times Attica was divided into one political whole (tradition attributes this to Theseus), Athens became the capital of a united state. Gradually, over the following centuries, the city was also settled on the northern side of the Acropolis. It was predominantly home to artisans, namely members of the respected and numerous class of potters in Athens, hence a significant quarter of the city east of the Acropolis was called the Ceramics (that is, the potters' quarter).

Finally, in the era of Peisistratus and his sons, an altar to the 12 gods was built in the southern part of the new Agora (market), which was located at the northwestern foot of the Acropolis. Moreover, from the Agora the distances of all areas connected by roads to the city were measured. Peisistratus also began construction in the lower city of the colossal Temple of Zeus at Olympia, east of the Acropolis, and on the high point Acropolis Hill - Temple of Chaste Athena (Hecatompedon).

Gates

Among the main entrance gates of Athens were:

• in the west: Dipylon Gate, leading from the center of the Keramik district to the Academy. The gate was considered sacred because the sacred Elefsinian Way began from it. Knight's Gate were located between the Hill of the Nymphs and the Pnyx. Piraeus Gate- between Pnyx and Museion, led to a road between long walls, which in turn led to Piraeus. The Miletus Gate is so named because it led to the deme of Miletus within Athens (not to be confused with the polis of Miletus).
• in the south: the gate of the dead was located near Museion Hill. The road to Faliron began from the Itonia Gate on the banks of the Ilissos River.
• in the east: the Diochara gate led to the Lyceum. The Diomean Gate received this name because it led to the demome Diomeus, as well as the hill of Kinosargus.
• in the north: the Akarnian gate led to the deme Akarney.