The most famous Greek philosophers Plato, Socrates, the politician Pericles, Greek tragedians Euripides, Sophocles, and Aeschylus evolved out of Athens.

Athens is the origin of Western Civilization and 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 burnt and rebuilt between 495-429 BCE rising to superpower with wealth by the politician Pericles. He was the general of the grandiose Athenian army.

Then between 413-404 BCE, Athens fell to Sparta after the second Peloponnesian War and survived after being sacked by Philip II of Macedon 359-336 BCE. Macedon conquered Chaeronea in 338 BCE.

After the Battle of 31 BCE, the Athens region was sacked by Rome and became a favorite of Roman emperors.
In 117-138 CE, the 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, and its country declined for years. Then in the 19th century, the country battled the Turks in 1821 and won independence. Athens survived all those battles; its people built strength to continue its identity forming a government to restore and preserve its historical monuments, temples, and the Parthenon as well other regions and the ancient Agora of Athens.

Things to do

While touring Athens, you will discover history traces from the Prehistoric and Archaic Periods—the rare works from Classical, Hellenistic, Medieval, and Byzantine masterpieces. Visit folk art galleries of distinct civilizations and religions, including modern and contemporary art.

A must-see is the Acropolis of Athens, a monument symbol of the western civilization of Athens. It’s a unique architecture and artistic piece of Greek antiquity.

Greek cuisine has a history of around 4000 years of authentic flavors and dishes with specialty wines and ouzo.

If you are into nature and hiking, Athens has mountains, forests, rivers, lakes, caves, volcanos, lagoons, rock climbing, and skiing. Visit the beaches and enjoy relaxing and scuba diving, rafting, sea kayaking, and surfboarding. For the shopper, they have traditional markets and stores with a vivid nightlife.

Tips to get around

The City’s main attractions are within walking distance, and you also take the metro or rent a car, but traffic could be heavy and parking hard to find, like in any city.