Ancient+Athens

​ = = =Ancient Athens= by Haley

The center of life, the sanctuaries, love of sculptures and art, birthplace of democracy and named after the goddess Athena. Ancient Athens was the place to be in 500 BC. The history is interesting, the myths are enlightening and the places to be are still intact today.  Athens is not only the capital of the country today; it is the birthplace of many great discoveries. The birth of many Greeks, such as Plato and Socrates. It is the home of humanism and democracy. Athens, by far, has contributed to civilization. Athens got its name by to famous Greek gods. Athena and Poseidon both battled over who would be the protector over the city. To resolve the conflict they had to create something that was valuable to the people. Athena gave the olive tree and Poseidon gave a well. Overall, the olive tree won the people; therefore the city was named Athens.

The history of ancient Athens is a myth of how it first began. The city was occupied since 3,000 BC. From 1,400 BC to 1,200 BC the Mycenaean’s ruled the city. The famous sculptures and architecture dated back to 600 BC, until 120 years later when the Persians halted the growth of the artistic view. Once the hold back ended from 400 BC onward the Golden Age was blooming. The history of the Golden Age city was thought of to be a myth. It is said that the city was ruled, last, by Kodros until he sacrificed his life to save Athens.

 Athens is a beautiful city located on the Acropolis. The Acropolis held the sanctuary for the goddess Athena. Surrounding the Acropolis was the host to the theater, sacrifices an ritual acts of the Athenians. The main attraction the city was the Parthenon and the Agora. The Parthenon is a sanctuary for Athena. The monument was built out of limestone and marble. There isn't much know about the Parthenon. It was built in 447 BC to 432 BC. Some historians think that it was a treaty with the Persians.  Agora, a market place for Athenians, grew large and became the center of life in Athens.  Athenians would travel to the Agora to speak publicly, to go to the market place, and to meet. The Agora was the center of Athenian life.  <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode','Lucida Grande',sans-serif;">The one and only myth of the city of Athens is how it got its name. Poseidon, god of the sea and Athena, goddess of wisdom both wanted to be the protectors. To come to an agreement they both created something valuable to the people of the city. Poseidon came up with a well and Athena, an olive tree. In the end, Athena's olive tree won. Therefore, the city was named Athens in honor of her wisdom. That is the myth of Athens and is still believed today.

Birth place of democracy, the love of art and many others. In summary, Athens is a wonderful city with ideas and creations, including the Parthenon. Athena is the protector of Athens, that won with her cleaver olive tree. Humanism and democracy were great ideas that would last till modern times. From 3,000 BC till now the city was contributed largely to societies all over the world. Ancient Athens was and will always be a know city to our world. <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">

=Works Cited= <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode','Lucida Grande',sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode','Lucida Grande',sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 200%;">-Kousser, Rachel. "Destruction and Memory on the Athenian Acropolis." //<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica','sans-serif';">Art Bulletin // 91.3 (2009): 263. //<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica','sans-serif';">MAS Ultra - School Edition //. EBSCO. Web. 8 Dec. 2009.<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 200%;">-<span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode','Lucida Grande',sans-serif;">__emuseum/prehistory/aegean/thecities/athens.html__ -Jones, Peter. "Ancient & modern." __Spectator__ 287.9038 (Oct 27, 2001): 21(1). __Student Resource Center - Bronze__. Gale. Le Jardin Windward Oahu Academy. 9 Dec. 2009[]. - Strachen, Richard."Ancient Greek Civilizations."Ancient Greek Civilizatons.2009 Minnesota University[|http://www.mnsu.edu/] -Unknown. "Greek Goddess Athena." //Dr. Vollmers Wörterbuch der Mythologie aller Völker//, third edition Stuttgart 1874, an. 18, 2008.