ATHENS | History

According to mythology, Athens was the apple of discord between two gods of the Olympus. The goddess of wisdom, Athena, and the sea god, Poseidon claimed the city. 
In the end, the goddess Athena won the battle and the city was named after her. A temple at Sounio was dedicated to Poseidon so that he wouldn’t be offended and cause storms. 

The first inhabitants of Athens date back to the Neolithic age and during the Mycenian years, Athens was, unquestionably the greatest settlement. These years the arts and the economy started prospering in the area, while the first palace in the Acropolis was built around the 13th century BC in the Geometrical age. In 1050BC, a new writing is created and literature and the arts start developing. It is then that the first great poets and philosophers emerge, as well as the first festivals that later spread out all over Greece.

In the beginning of the 5th century BC the Athenians are at war with the Persians. After many showdowns, they win. These years the concept of democracy is born, which reaches its peak in the days of Pericles with the “golden age”, during which Athens flourished in all areas. During the governing of Pericles the temples on the rock of Acropolis take their present form by the architects Iktinos and Kallicrates. 

The golden age ends with the Peloponnesian war, which breaks out between the Athenians and the Spartans in 431BC. After it, Athens is governed by various tyrants until 403BC, when Thrasybulus restores democracy and another century of growth for the city follows.

In 388BC the Macedonian Philippos the Second occupies Athens and his son, Alexandros, succeeds him.

In 146BC a conflict begins between the Athenians and the Macedonians, and the Romans break up the Macedonian state, occupy Athens and then the rest of the Hellenic ground.

In the Byzantine years, many ancient temples are destroyed or other monuments are built over them, which today still remain. Through the Byzantine age Athens doesn’t play an important part in the area.

In the 13th century AD, Athens is under the occupation of the Franks and gets a taste of the Middle Ages. 

In 1456 it is conquered by the Turks and 400 years of slavery follow. 
In 1821 the Greek rebellion against the Turkish occupation begins. Athens is finally liberated in 1833 and a year later it is declared capital of the newly-founded state.

The downfall in Minor Asia in September of 1922, resulted in the removal of numerous Greek refugees who lived, until then, in the coastal areas of Minor Asia. Athens, as well as several cites of Greece start growing, developing and changing as the refugees introduce their cultures and customs.

After the end of World War II, Athens receives another large stream of inhabitants. The internal migration from the countryside to the city was due to the search for a better life. 

Nowadays, almost half of the Greek population lives in Attica, the largest part of which in Athens. Athens is a modern city that has overcome its reputation as it hosted the Olympic Games of 2004, which in fact initiated in 1896. The rhythms of the city are intense and accepts thousands of visitors all year round in order to admire its significant monuments, sights and beauties.