The most famous Greek philosophers, Plato and Socrates, along with the politician Pericles and the Greek tragedians Euripides, Sophocles, and Aeschylus, evolved out of Athens.
Athens is the birthplace of Western Civilization and the cradle for the development of arts, science, mathematics, drama, literature, democracy, philosophy, the Olympic Games, and the oldest Greek written language.
History
According to Mark, J. Joshua, Athens, World History Encyclopedia, during the Persian invasion of 480 BCE, Athens was burned and rebuilt between 495-429 BCE, rising to superpower status with the wealth accumulated by the politician Pericles. He was the general of the grandiose Athenian army.
Between 413 and 404 BCE, Athens fell to Sparta after the second Peloponnesian War and survived being sacked by Philip II of Macedon from 359 to 336 BCE. Macedon conquered Chaeronea in 338 BCE.
After the Battle of 31 BCE, Rome sacked the Athens region, which became a favorite of Roman emperors.
In 117-138 CE, Emperor Hadrian helped finance building development to beautify Athens. Paul the Apostle developed Christian theology, written in the Book of Acts, teaching scripture to the Athenians.
The Ottoman Empire conquered Greece in 1458, leading to a period of decline for the country. However, in the 19th century, Greece fought against the Turks in 1821 and gained independence.
Athens endured all those battles; its people demonstrated resilience to maintain their identity, establishing a government to restore and preserve its historical monuments, temples, the Parthenon, and other regions, including the ancient Agora of Athens.
Things to do
While touring Athens, you will discover traces of history from the Prehistoric and Archaic Periods, as well as rare works from Classical, Hellenistic, Medieval, and Byzantine masterpieces. Visit folk art galleries that showcase distinct civilizations and religions, including modern and contemporary art.
A must-see is the Acropolis of Athens, a monument symbolizing the western civilization of Athens. It’s a unique architectural and artistic piece of Greek antiquity.
Greek cuisine boasts a history of approximately 4000 years, celebrated for its authentic flavors, diverse dishes, and specialty wines and ouzo.
If you are into nature and hiking, Athens offers mountains, forests, rivers, lakes, caves, volcanoes, lagoons, rock climbing, and skiing. You can visit the beaches and enjoy relaxing, as well as scuba diving, rafting, sea kayaking, and surfing. For shoppers, there are traditional markets and stores with a vibrant nightlife.
Tips to get around
The city’s main attractions are within walking distance, and you can also take the metro or rent a car; however, traffic may be heavy and parking difficult to find, like in any city.
