This is a special city: no other European capital can boast of such a historical and cultural heritage. It is rightly called the cradle of democracy and Western civilization. The life of Athens still revolves around the witness of its birth and prosperity - the Acropolis, one of the seven hills surrounding the city, which rises above it like a stone ship, on the deck of which the ancient Parthenon is located.

Video: Athens

Basic moments

Athens became the capital of modern Greece since the 1830s, the time when an independent state was proclaimed. Since then, the city has experienced an unprecedented rise. In 1923, the number of inhabitants here almost doubled in one day as a result of the population exchange with Turkey.

Due to the rapid post-war economic growth and the real boom that followed the entry of Greece into the European Union in 1981, the suburbs captured the entire historical part of the city. Athens has become an octopus city: it is estimated that its population is about 4 million inhabitants, 750,000 of whom live within the official city limits.

The new dynamic city has undergone a major transformation since the 2004 Olympics. Years of grandiose works modernized and beautified the city. A new airport has been launched, new metro lines have been launched, museums have been updated.

Of course, the problems of pollution and overpopulation remain, and few people fall in love with Athens at first sight... But you can't help but succumb to the contrast-generated charm of this amazing mixture of an ancient holy city and a 21st-century capital. Athens owes its uniqueness to the numerous neighborhoods that have an inimitable character: the traditional Plaka, the industrial Ghazi, Monastraki with their new dawn with their flea markets, the shopping Psiri entering the markets, the working Omonia, the business Syntagma, the bourgeois Kolonaki ... not to mention Piraeus, which is, in fact, an independent city.

Sights of Athens

It is on a small plateau on which the Acropolis is located (4 ha), towering 100 meters above the plain of Attica and the modern city, Athens owes its fate. The city was born here, grew up, met its historical glory. No matter how damaged and incomplete the Acropolis may be, to this day it holds up quite confidently and fully retains the status of one of the greatest wonders of the world, once assigned to it by UNESCO. Its name means "high city", from the Greek asgo ("high", "sublime") and polis ("city"). It also means "citadel", which, in fact, was the Acropolis in the Bronze Age and later, in the Mycenaean era.

In 2000, the main buildings of the Acropolis were dismantled for reconstruction in accordance with new archaeological knowledge and modern restoration techniques. However, do not be surprised if the reconstruction of some buildings, such as the Parthenon or the temple of Nike Apteros, has not yet been completed, these works take a lot of time and effort.

Areopagus and Bele Gate

The entrance to the Acropolis is located on the western side, at the Bele Gate, a Roman building of the 3rd century, named after the French archaeologist who discovered it in 1852. From the entrance, steps carved in stone lead to the Areopagus, a stone hill where judges used to gather in antiquity.

The huge staircase that ended the Panathenaic road (dromos), led to this monumental entrance to the Acropolis, marked by six Doric columns. More complex than the Parthenon they were supposed to complete, the Propylaea ("in front of entrance") were conceived by Pericles and his architect Mnesicles as the grandest secular building ever built in Greece. Works that began in 437 BC and interrupted in 431 by the Peloponnesian War, were never resumed. The central aisle, the widest, once topped with a railing, was intended for chariots, and steps led to four other entrances intended for mere mortals. The north wing is decorated with images dedicated to Athena by the great artists of the past.

This little temple (421 BC), designed by the architect Kallikrates, built on an earth embankment to the southwest (on right) from the Propylaea. It was in this place, according to legend, that Aegeus was waiting for his son Theseus, who had gone to fight the Minotaur. Not seeing a white sail on the horizon - a sign of victory - he rushed into the abyss, considering Theseus dead. This place offers a magnificent view of Athens and the sea. This building, which seems tiny compared to the Parthenon, was destroyed in 1687 by the Turks, who used its stones to strengthen their own defensive fortifications. The first time it was restored shortly after the country's independence, but recently it was dismantled again to be rebuilt with all the subtleties of classical art.

After passing the Propylaea, you will find yourself on the esplanade in front of the Acropolis, topped by the Parthenon proper. It was Pericles who commissioned Phidias, a brilliant sculptor and builder, and his assistants, the architects Iktin and Kallikrat, to build this temple on the site of former sanctuaries destroyed by the Persian conquerors. The work, begun in 447 BC, continued for fifteen years. Using Pentelian marble as a material, the builders managed to create a building with ideal proportions, 69 meters long and 31 meters wide. It is decorated with 46 columns with flutes ten meters high, made up of a dozen drums. For the first time in history, each of the building's four façades was decorated with gables with painted friezes and sculptures.

In the foreground was a bronze statue of Athena Promachos ("the one that protects") nine meters high, with a spear and a shield - only a few fragments of the pedestal remain from this composition. It is said that sailors could see the crest of her helmet and the gilded tip of her spear, sparkling in the sun, as soon as they entered the Saronic Gulf...

Another huge statue of Athena Parthenos, dressed in pure gold, with an ivory face, arms and legs, and with the head of Medusa on her chest, was in the sanctuary. This brainchild of Phidias remained in its place for more than a thousand years, but was subsequently taken to Constantinople, where it was later lost.

Becoming an Athenian cathedral in the Byzantine era, then a mosque under the rule of the Turks, the Parthenon passed through the centuries without much loss until that fateful day in 1687, when the Venetians bombarded the Acropolis. The Turks set up an ammunition depot in the building, and when the cannonball hit it, the wooden roof was destroyed and part of the walls and sculptural decorations collapsed. An even more severe blow to the pride of the Greeks was dealt at the very beginning of the 19th century by the British ambassador, Lord Elgin, who received permission from the Turks to excavate in the ancient city and took out a huge number of the most beautiful statues and bas-reliefs of the Parthenon pediment. Now they are in the British Museum, but the Greek government does not lose hope that someday they will return to their homeland.

The last of the sanctuaries erected by the ancient Greeks on the Acropolis is located on the other side of the plateau, near the northern wall, at the site of the mythical dispute between Poseidon and Athena over power over the city. Construction lasted fifteen years. The consecration of the Erechtheion took place in 406 BC. An unknown architect was supposed to unite three sanctuaries under one roof (in honor of Athena, Poseidon and Erechtheus), having built a temple on a site with significant differences in the height of the soil.

This temple, although smaller than the Parthenon, must have been equal to it in splendor. The north portico is without doubt a work of genius, as evidenced by its dark blue marble frieze, coffered ceiling and elegant Ionic columns.

Don't miss the Caryatids - six statues of young girls taller than a human that support the roof of the south portico. Currently, these are only copies. One of the original statues was taken away by the same Lord Eljin, five others, exhibited for a long time in the Small Museum of the Acropolis (now closed), were moved to the New Acropolis Museum, which opened in June 2009.

Here, do not forget to enjoy the beautiful view of the Salamis Bay, located on the western side.

Located in the western part of the Acropolis (161-174), the Roman odeon, famous for its acoustics, is open to the public only during the festivities organized as part of the festival in honor of Athena (performances take place almost every day from late May to mid-October). The marble steps of the ancient theater can accommodate up to 5,000 spectators!

The theater located near the odeon, although very ancient, is closely connected with the main episodes of the life of the Greek city. This gigantic building with 17,000 seats, built in the 5th-4th centuries BC, saw the tragedies of Sophocles, Aeschylus and Euripides and the comedies of Aristophanes. In fact, this is the cradle of Western theatrical art. Since the 4th century, the city assembly has been meeting here.

New Acropolis Museum

At the foot of the hill (South side) houses the New Acropolis Museum, the brainchild of Swiss architect Bernard Tschumi and his Greek colleague Michalis Fotiadis. A new museum built to replace the old Acropolis Museum (near the Parthenon), which had become too cramped, opened its doors in June 2009. This state-of-the-art marble, glass and concrete building was built on stilts as valuable archaeological finds were unearthed at the site when construction began. 4,000 artifacts are displayed on 14,000 sq. m is ten times the area of ​​the old museum.

The first floor, already open to the public, houses temporary exhibitions, its glass floor allows you to watch the ongoing excavations. The second floor houses the permanent collections, which include artifacts found in the Acropolis from the Archaic period of Ancient Greece to the Roman period. But the highlight of the exhibition is the third floor, whose glass windows give visitors a beautiful view of the Parthenon.

Acropolis metro station

Acropolis metro station

In the 1990s, during the construction of the second metro line, important excavations were discovered. Some of them were exhibited right at the station (amphoras, pots). Here you can also see a model frieze of the Parthenon, representing Helios at the moment when he emerges from the sea, surrounded by Dionysus, Demeter, Kore and an unknown headless character.

Old lower town

On both sides of the Acropolis, the ancient lower city stretched: Greek in the north, around the market square and the ancient Kerameikos district, Roman in the east on the way to Olympeion (Temple of Zeus) and the Arch of Hadrian. Recently, all the sights can be seen on foot, passing through the labyrinth of streets of Plaka or bypassing the Acropolis along the large street named after. Dionysius the Areopagite.

Agora

Initially, this term meant "assembly", then it began to be called the place where people did business. The heart of the old city, filled with workshops and stalls, the agora (market Square) was surrounded by many tall buildings: a mint, a library, a council chamber, a court, archives, not to mention countless altars, small temples and monuments.

The first public buildings on this site began to appear in the 4th century BC, during the reign of the tyrant Pisistratus. Some of them have been restored, and many were built after the sack of the city by the Persians in 480 BC. The Panathenaic Road, the main artery of the ancient city, crossed the esplanade diagonally, linking the city's main gate, the Dipylon, with the Acropolis. Wagon races were held here, in which, presumably, even cavalry recruits took part.

To date, the agora has hardly survived, with the exception of Teseon (Temple of Hephaestus). This Doric temple in the west of the Acropolis is the best preserved in Greece. He is the owner of a beautiful ensemble of Penteli marble columns and Parian marble friezes. On each of its sides, the image of Hercules in the east, Theseus in the north and south, battle scenes (with magnificent centaurs) in the east and west. Dedicated to both Hephaestus, the patron saint of metallurgists, and Athena Organa (Worker), the protector of potters and artisans, it dates from the second half of the 5th century BC. Probably, this temple owes its safety to its transformation into a church. In the 19th century, it even became a Protestant church, where the remains of English volunteers and other European philhellenes rested. (Greek-Filov) who died during the War of Independence.

Below, in the center of the agora, near the entrance to the Odeon of Agrippa, you will see three monumental statues of tritons. In the most elevated part of the area, in the direction of the Acropolis, there is a restored small church of the Holy Apostles (around 1000) in Byzantine style. Inside, the remains of frescoes of the 17th century and a marble iconostasis have been preserved.

The portico of Attala, on the east side of the market square, 120 meters long and 20 meters wide, was renovated in the 1950s and is now the Agora Museum. Here you can see some amazing artifacts. For example, a huge Spartan shield made of bronze (425 BC) and, directly opposite, a piece of clerotherium, a stone with a hundred slits, intended for the random selection of jurors. Among the coins on display is a silver tetradrachm depicting an owl, which served as the model for the Greek euro.

roman agora

In the second half of the 1st century BC. the Romans moved the agora about a hundred meters to the east to create their own central market. After the invasion of the barbarians in 267, the administrative center of the city took refuge behind the new walls of decaying Athens. Here you can still see, as well as on the nearby streets, many important buildings.

Built in the XI century BC. The Doric Gate of Athena Archegetis is located near the western entrance to the Roman Agora. During the reign of Hadrian, a copy of the order regarding the taxation of the purchase and sale of olive oil was placed here for public review ... On the other side of the square, on the embankment, rises the octagonal Tower of the Winds (Aerids) in white Pentelian marble. It was erected in the 1st century BC. Macedonian astronomer Andronik and served simultaneously as a weather vane, compass and clepsydra (water clock). Each side is decorated with a frieze depicting one of the eight winds, under which one can discern the hands of an ancient sundial. On the north side is a small inactive mosque of Fethiye (Conqueror), one of the last witnesses to the occupation of the market place by religious buildings in the Middle Ages and then under Turkish rule.

Two blocks from the Roman Agora, near Monastiraki Square, you will find the ruins of Hadrian's Library. Erected during the era of the reign of the emperor-builder in the same year as Olympeion (132 BC), this huge public building with a courtyard surrounded by a hundred columns, was at one time one of the most luxurious in Athens.

The Keramik quarter, located on the northwestern border of the Greek city, owes its name to the potters who made the famous Attic vases with red figures on a black background. Here was also the largest cemetery of that time, which operated until the 6th century and is partially preserved. The most ancient graves belong to the Mycenaean era, but the most beautiful, decorated with steles and tombstones, belonged to wealthy Athenians and war heroes of the times of tyranny. They are located in the west of the cemetery, in a corner planted with cypresses and olive trees. Such displays of vanity were forbidden after the establishment of democracy.

The museum exhibits the most beautiful specimens: sphinxes, kouros, lions, bulls... Some of them were used in 478 BC. for the hasty construction of new defensive fortifications against the Spartans!

To the west of the agora and the Acropolis rises the hill of Pnyx, the meeting place of the assembly of the citizens of Athens. (ekklesia). Meetings took place ten times a year from the 6th to the end of the 4th century BC. Famous orators such as Pericles, Themistocles, Demosthenes delivered speeches here to their compatriots. Later, the assembly moved to the square in front of the theater of Dionysus, which was larger in size. From the top of this hill, the view of the forested Acropolis is amazing.

Hill of Muses

The most beautiful panorama of the Acropolis and the Parthenon still opens from this wooded hill in the southwest of the old center - the mythological bastion of the Athenians in the fight against the Amazons. At the top is a well-preserved tombstone of Philopappos. (or Philoppapu) 12 meters high. It dates from the 2nd century and depicts this "benefactor of Athens" on a wagon.

To mark the boundary between the old Greek city and his own Athens, the Roman Emperor Hadrian ordered the erection of a gate facing Olympeion. On one side was written "Athens, the ancient city of Theseus", and on the other - "City of Hadrian, not Theseus". Apart from this, both facades are absolutely identical; striving for unity, they combine the Roman tradition at the bottom and the Greek form of propylaea at the top. The monument, 18 meters high, was erected thanks to the gifts of the inhabitants of Athens.

The temple of Olympian Zeus, the supreme deity, was the largest in ancient Greece - erected, as legend has it, on the site of the ancient sanctuary of Deucalion, the mythical forefather of the Greek people, who thus thanked Zeus for saving him from the flood. The tyrant Peisistratus supposedly started the construction of this gigantic building in 515 BC. in order to keep people busy and prevent a riot. But this time the Greeks overestimated their capabilities: the temple was completed only in the Roman era, in 132 BC. Emperor Hadrian, who got all the glory. The dimensions of the temple were impressive: length - 110 meters, width - 44 meters. Of the 104 Corinthian columns 17 meters high and 2 meters in diameter, only fifteen have survived, the sixteenth, knocked down by a storm, still lies on the ground. The rest were used for other buildings. They were arranged in double rows of 20 along the length of the building and in triple rows of 8 on the sides. In the sanctuary, a giant statue of Zeus made of gold and ivory and a statue of the emperor Hadrian have been preserved - in the Roman era they were revered equally.

This stadium, nestled in an amphitheater with marble steps near Mount Ardettos, 500 meters east of the Olympeion, was rebuilt in 1896 for the first modern Olympic Games in place of and on the site of an ancient one built by Lycurgus in 330 BC. In the 2nd century, Hadrian introduced games to the arena, bringing thousands of predators for bestiaries. It was here that the marathon of the 2004 Olympic Games finished.

This is the oldest and most interesting residential area of ​​the city. The labyrinth of its streets and stairs, dating back at least three millennia, extends to the northeastern slope of the Acropolis. It is mostly pedestrian. The upper part of the quarter is made for long walks and admiring the beautiful houses of the 19th century, the walls and courtyards of which are densely covered with burgenvilleas and geraniums. Plaka is dotted with ancient ruins, Byzantine churches, and at the same time there are many boutiques, restaurants, museums, bars, small nightclubs... It can be both quiet and very lively, it all depends on the place and time.

Churches

Although the towers of the Metropolis, the Cathedral of Plaka (XIX century), located in the northern part of the quarter, inevitably attracts glances, lower your eyes to its base and admire the delightful Small Metropolis. This small 12th century Byzantine church dedicated to St. Eleutrius and Our Lady Gorgoepikoos (“Help soon!”) was built from antique materials. Outside, its walls are decorated with magnificent geometric bas-reliefs. All the priests of Greece gather in the nearby street, Agios Philotheis, to shop at specialty shops. On the high ground of Plaka is the charming little Byzantine church of Agios Ioannis Theologos (XI century) also worthy of your attention.

This museum in the eastern part of Plaka presents an interesting collection of folk art exhibits. After examining the embroideries on the ground floor and the amusing carnival costumes on the mezzanine, in the room of Theophilos on the second floor you will find wall paintings, a tribute to this self-taught artist who decorated the houses and shops of his native land. Honoring traditions, he wore a fustanella all his life (traditional men's skirt) and died in poverty and oblivion. Only after his death did he receive recognition. On the third floor, decorations, ornaments and weapons are exhibited; on the fourth - folk costumes of various provinces of the country.

Neoclassical on the outside, ultra-modern on the inside, this contemporary art museum is the only one of its kind in Greece. Here, the permanent collection, the main theme of which is ordinary people, and temporary exhibitions are exhibited alternately. Visitors are given the opportunity to look at the great events of the 20th century through the eyes of Greek artists.

In 335 BC, after the victory of his troupe in a theater competition, in order to commemorate this event, the patron Lysicrates ordered the erection of this monument in the form of a rotunda. The Athenians called it "the lantern of Diogenes". Initially, inside was a bronze prize received from the city authorities. In the 17th century

Anafiotika

In the highest part of Plaka, on the slopes of the Acropolis, the inhabitants of the Kykpadian island of Anafi have recreated their world in miniature. Anafiotika is a block within a block, a real peaceful haven, where there is no access to cars. It is a few dozen whitewashed houses, buried in flowers, with many narrow alleys and secluded passages. Arbors made of vines, climbing rose hips, pots of flowers - life here turns to you with a pleasant side. Anafiotika can be reached from Stratonos Street.

This museum is located in the westernmost part of Plaka, between the Acropolis and the Roman Agora, in a beautiful neoclassical building and houses a very bizarre and varied collection. (which, however, are united by belonging to Hellenism) transferred to the state by the Kanellopoulos spouses. Among the main exhibits you will see Cycladic figurines and antique gold jewelry.

Museum of Folk Musical Instruments

Located on Diogenes Street, in the western part of Plaka, opposite the entrance to the Roman agora, this museum invites you to get acquainted with musical instruments and traditional Greek melodies. You will learn how bouzouki, lutes, tamburas, guides and other rare examples sound. Concerts are organized in the garden during the summer.

Syntagma Square

To the northeast, Plaka borders the huge Syntagma Square, the heart of the business world, an area that was built according to a plan drawn up the day after independence was declared. The green esplanade is surrounded by chic cafes and modern buildings that house offices of banks, airlines and international companies.

Here is the hotel "Great Britain", the pearl of Athens of the XIX century, the most beautiful palace in the city. On the eastern slope is the Buli Palace, now the Parliament. In 1834 it served as the residence of King Otto I and Queen Amalia.

Subway

Thanks to the construction of the subway (1992-1994) under the esplanade began the most extensive excavation ever carried out in Athens. Archaeologists have discovered a Peisistratus aqueduct, a very important road, bronze foundries from the 5th century BC. (the period when this place was outside the city walls), cemeteries of the end of the classical era - the beginning of the Roman era, baths and the second aqueduct, also Roman, as well as early Christian ossuaries and part of the Byzantine city. Various archaeological layers have been preserved inside the station in the form of a cross cup.

Parliament (Buli Palace)

The name of Syntagma Square evokes the Greek Constitution of 1844 proclaimed from the balcony of this neoclassical palace, since 1935 the seat of Parliament.

In front of the building there is a monument to the Unknown Soldier, who is guarded by Evzones (foot soldiers). They wear traditional Greek costumes: fustanella with 400 folds, symbolizing the number of years spent under the Turkish yoke, woolen knee socks and red shoes with pom-poms.

The changing of the guard takes place every hour from Monday to Saturday, and once, at 10.30, on Sunday. The entire garrison gathers in the square for this beautiful ceremony.

national garden

Once a palace park, the National Garden is now a peaceful oasis of exotic plants and mosaic pools in the heart of the city. There you can see ancient ruins hidden among shady alleys, a small botanical museum located in a pavilion, a zoo and a pleasant cafe with a large covered gazebo.

To the south is the Zappeion, a neoclassical building built in the 1880s in the form of a rotunda. In 1896, during the first modern Olympic Games, the headquarters of the Olympic Committee was located there. Later, Zappeion became an exhibition center.

To the east of the garden, on Herodes Atticus Street, in the middle of the park, is the Presidential Palace, a beautiful baroque building guarded by two evzones.

Northern quarters and museums

Justifying its name, the Gazi quarter in the north-west of the city, predominantly industrial, does not make a very pleasant impression at first. The former gas plant that gave the neighborhood its name is now a huge cultural center .

A little to the east stretches the very lively Psiri quarter, where wholesalers and blacksmiths have settled - and, for some time now, a growing number of bars, nightlife and trendy restaurants. Its small streets lead to the markets and Omonia Square, the heart of the people of Athens. From here you can walk to Syntagma Square along two large neoclassical-framed streets - Stadiou and Panepistimiou.

Neighborhood Monastiraki

Directly north of the Roman Agora is Monastiraki Square, crowded with people at any time of the day. Above it rises the dome and portico of the Tsizdaraki mosque (1795), which now houses the Plaka branch of the Museum of Folk Art.

The nearby pedestrian streets are crammed with souvenir shops, antique shops, and junk dealers who gather every Sunday at Abyssinia Square to host a giant flea market.

Markets

The large Athinas Boulevard, which links Monastiraki with Omonia Square in the north, passes by the market pavilions. The “belly of Athens”, which is in constant activity from dawn to mid-afternoon, is divided into two parts: fish merchants in the center and meat merchants around.

In front of the building there are sellers of dried fruits, and on the nearby streets - merchants of hardware, carpets, and poultry.

Archaeological Museum

A few blocks north of Omonia Square, on a huge esplanade lined with cars, is the National Archaeological Museum, which has a fabulous collection of artifacts from the great civilizations of ancient Greece. Do not hesitate to spend half a day here contemplating the statues, frescoes, vases, cameos, jewelry, coins and other treasures.

Perhaps the most valuable exhibit of the museum is the posthumous golden mask of Agamemnon, found in 1876 in Mycenae by amateur archaeologist Heinrich Schliemann. (hall 4, in the center of the courtyard). In the same room you will see another important object from the Mycenaean era, the Warrior vase, as well as funerary stelae, weapons, rhytons, jewelry and thousands of luxurious items made of amber, gold and even an ostrich egg shell! Cycladic collection (hall 6) also a must see.

Looking around the first floor and moving clockwise, you will pass chronologically from the archaic period, represented by magnificent kouros and kors, to the Roman. Along the way, you will see great masterpieces of classical art, including a bronze statue of Poseidon fished out of the sea near the island of Euboea. (hall 15), as well as statues of the rider Artemision on a war horse (hall 21). Tombstones are presented in large numbers, some of them quite impressive. For example, huge lekythos - vases two meters high. It is also worth mentioning the friezes that adorned the temple of Afeia on Aegina, the friezes of the temple of Asclepius (Aesculapius) in Epidaurus and the magnificent marble group of Aphrodite, Pan and Eros in Room 30.

On the second floor, collections of ceramics are exhibited: from products of the geometric era to delightful Attic vases. Greek Pompeii - the city of Akrotiri on the island of Santorini, buried in 1450 BC - is dedicated to a separate section (hall 48).

Panepistimiou

The quarter, located between Omonia and Syntagma squares, gives a clear idea of ​​the grandiose ambitions of the post-independence period. Definitely neoclassical, the trio of the University, the Academy and the National Library stretch along Panepistimiou Street. (or Eleftherios Venizelou) and clearly deserves the attention of visitors to the city.

National History Museum

The museum is located in the building of the former parliament, at 13 Stadiou Street, not far from Syntagma Square, and is dedicated to the history of the country since the capture of Constantinople by the Ottomans (1453). The period of the War of Independence is presented in great detail. You can even see the helmet and sword of Lord Byron, the most famous of the philhellenes!

Founded in 1930 by Antonis Benakis, a member of a prominent Greek family, the museum is housed in his former Athenian residence. The exhibition consists of collections collected throughout his life. The museum continues to grow and now offers visitors a complete panorama of Greek art, from the prehistoric period to the 20th century.

On the ground floor there are exhibits from the Neolithic period to the Byzantine era, as well as a fine collection of jewelry and antique gold leaf crowns. A large section is devoted to icons. Second floor (XVI-XIX centuries) covers the period of Turkish occupation, mainly samples of church and secular folk art are exhibited here. Two magnificent reception halls from the 1750s have been restored, along with ceilings and carved wood panels.

Less interesting sections, dedicated to the period of awakening of national identity and the struggle for independence, occupy the top two floors.

Museum of Cycladic Art

Here are mainly the collections of Nicolas Goulandris dedicated to ancient art. The most prominent of them is, without a doubt, on the ground floor. Here you can get acquainted with the legendary Cycladic art; figurines, marble household items and objects of religious worship. Don't miss the dove platter, carved from a single piece, the extraordinary figurines of a flutist and a bread peddler, and a 1.40-meter high statue, one of two depicting the great patron goddess.

The third floor is devoted to Greek art from the Bronze Age to the 2nd century BC, on the fourth floor there is a collection of Cypriot artifacts, and on the fifth - the finest ceramics and "Corinthian" bronze shields.

The museum later moved into a magnificent neoclassical villa built in 1895 by the Bavarian architect Ernst Ziller. (Palace of Stafatos).

The expositions housed in the museum cover the period from the fall of the Roman Empire (5th century) before the fall of Constantinople (1453) and successfully illuminate the history of Byzantine culture through a fine selection of exhibits and reconstructions. The exhibition also highlights the special role of Athens, the center of pagan thought for at least two centuries before Christianity took over.

Worth seeing section of Coptic art (especially the shoes of the 5th-8th centuries!), the treasure of Mytilene, found in 1951, amazing crossbars and bas-reliefs, collections of icons and frescoes exhibited in the church of the Episcopia of Eurytania, as well as magnificent manuscripts.

National Pinakothek

Significantly modernized in recent years, the Pinakothek is dedicated to the Greek art of the last four centuries. It chronologically presents various movements, from early post-Byzantine painting to the works of contemporary artists. In particular, you will see three mystical paintings by El Greco, a native of Crete, who, along with Velasquez and Goya, was the most famous artist of Spain in the 16th century.

At the northern end of Vassilissis Sofias Boulevard, the rolling streets of the Kolonaki quarter form a chic enclave famous for its fashion boutiques and art galleries. All morning, and especially after lunch, there is nowhere for an apple to fall on the terraces of the cafe in Filikis Eterias Square.

Mount Lycabettus (Lycabettus)

At the end of Plutarch Street there is a long line of markets leading to an underground cable tunnel with a funicular that will take you to the top of Lycabettus, famous for its beautiful panorama, in a few minutes. Sports enthusiasts will prefer the stairs starting at the end of Lukianou Street, a hundred meters to the west (15 minutes rise). The path winds its way through cypresses and agaves. Above, from the porch of the chapel of St. George, in good weather, you can see the islands of the Saronic Gulf and, of course, the Acropolis.

Around Athens

Situated between the sea and the hills, Athens is the ideal starting point to conquer the most famous sites of Attica, the peninsula that separates the Aegean from the Saronic Gulf.

Everyone goes to the beach for the weekend. Located right next to the city walls, Glyfada turned everyone in the belt during the 2004 Olympics: it was here that most of the nautical competitions took place. A chic suburb with numerous boutiques, as well as a seaside resort famous for its marinas and golf courses, Glyfada comes alive in the summer, when discos and clubs open on Possidonos Avenue. The beaches here and in the direction of Voula are mostly private, dotted with umbrellas and packed to the brim at the end of the week. If you are looking for a quieter place, head south to Vouliagmeni, a luxurious and expensive port surrounded by greenery. The coast becomes more democratic only after Varkiza, not far from Cape Sounion.

Sentinel of Athens, holding guard on the top of the rock "Cape of Columns" at the extreme point of Mediterranean Attica, the temple of Poseidon is one of the peaks of the "sacred triangle", a perfect isosceles triangle, the other points of which are the Acropolis and the temple of Aphaia on Aegina. It was said that sailors once entered the bay on their way to Piraeus and could see all three buildings at the same time, a pleasure now inaccessible due to the frequent smog that descends over these places. Sanctuary restored in the era of Pericles (444 BC), preserved 16 of the 34 Doric columns. Once upon a time, trireme races were held here, organized by the Athenians in honor of the goddess Athena, to whom the second temple, erected on a nearby hill, is dedicated. The place acquires strategic importance: its fortress, now disappeared, made it possible to simultaneously control the silver mines of Lorion and the movement of ships to Athens.

Built on the pine-covered slopes of Mount Hymetos, a few kilometers east of Athens, the 11th-century monastery is no longer quiet at the end of the week when picnickers land nearby. In the central courtyard you will find a church whose walls are covered with frescoes. (XVII-XVIII centuries), the dome rests on four ancient columns, and at the other end of the monastery there is an amazing fountain with a ram's head, from which water flows, which is said to have miraculous properties.

Marathon

This place, one of the most famous, in 490 BC witnessed the victory of the 10,000th Athenian army over the Persians, which outnumbered it three times. To deliver the good news, legend has it, a runner from Marathon ran the 40 km separating it from Athens so quickly that he died of exhaustion upon arrival. 192 Greek heroes who died in this battle were buried on the mound - this is the only credible evidence of this famous event.

Monastery of Daphne

Located 10 km west of Athens, on the edge of a major road, the Byzantine monastery of Daphni is famous for its 11th-century mosaics depicting the apostles and the mighty Christos Pantokrator watching them from the central dome. Having received significant damage from an earthquake in 1999, the building is now closed for restoration.

Pressed on one side by Attica and on the other by the Peloponnese, the Saronic Gulf - the lock of the Corinth Canal - opens the door to Athens. Among the many islands, Aegina is the most interesting and the easiest to reach (1 h 15 min by ferry or 35 min by speedboat).

Most of the ships are docked on the west coast, in the most beautiful port of Aegina. Few people know that it was the first capital of liberated Greece. Fishermen fix their gear here in front of tourists relaxing on cafe terraces and riding in gigs. A narrow pedestrian street leading from the embankment, as if created for walking and shopping. At the northern exit, in Kolon, at the site of archaeological excavations, there are a few ruins of the temple of Apollo (5th century BC). The archaeological museum exhibits artifacts found nearby: donations, pottery, sculptures and steles.

The rest of the island is divided between the pistachio plantations, which are the pride of Aegina, several groves with olive trees and beautiful pine forests, stretching in the east to the seaside resort of Agia Marina, on whose beautiful beaches life is in full swing in summer.

From there you can easily reach the temple of Aphaia, built on a promontory visible from both banks. The splendor of this Doric monument, perfectly preserved, allows one to guess the former power of the island, which was once a rival of Athens. Erected in 500 BC, it was dedicated to the local goddess Aphaia, the daughter of Zeus, who took refuge in these places, fleeing the persecution of King Minos.

If you have some time, visit the ruins of Paliochora, the former capital of Aegina, built on a hill in the interior of the island. Founded in the era of Antiquity, the town grew up during the high Middle Ages, an era when residents, fleeing from pirate raids, took refuge on the tops of the mountains. Until the 19th century, when the inhabitants left it, Paliochora consisted of 365 churches and chapels, of which 28 survived, and you can still see the remains of beautiful frescoes in them. A little lower is the monastery of Agios Nektarios, the largest on the island.

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When is the best time to go to Athens

Spring and late autumn are the best times to visit Athens. Summers can be very hot and dry. Winters are sometimes rainy with few snowy days. But at the same time, winter can be the perfect time to visit the city, when it is fresh, but not crowded.

Very often there is smog over the city, the reason for which is in the geography of the city - due to the fact that Athens is surrounded by mountains, exhausts and pollution from cars very often linger over the city.

How to get there

What are the ways to get to Athens from the airport? First of all, a direct metro line (blue) was laid from the airport to the city. The final station in the city center is the Monastiraki metro. You can get to the railway station in Athens by commuter train. A convenient and comfortable way is to call a taxi. A more economical ground transport is a bus; buses follow four routes from the airport.

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There is no city in Europe that looks like Athens. This also applies to ancient monuments, and the most difficult historical path along which the Greek capital passed. Reborn, Athens has become the modern cultural center of Greece and a major European city full of contrasts. Antique ruins here coexist with luxurious hotels, and the bustling center is within easy reach of idyllic beaches.

Geography of Athens: what is the capital of Greece

Athens is located in Central Greece (Attica), surrounded by the mountains of Parnithos, Imittos, Pendeli and Egaleo. The city and agglomeration occupy an area of ​​410 sq. km, and the population with suburbs has more than 3 million inhabitants. Although this figure is arbitrary, because numerous students, repatriates and migrants come to the Greek capital.

The city is divided into 7 districts. However, unofficially it is customary to divide Athens into historical districts, the most famous of which are Kolonaki, Plaka, Monastiraki and Exarchia.

History of the city of Athens

The history of Athens is so ancient that the exact age of the city cannot be established. It is only known that it is the oldest of the currently inhabited cities in Europe. The origin of Athens is connected with mythology. According to legend, they appeared as a result of a dispute between Poseidon and Athena for the right to give the best gift to the first king of the city - Kekrop. The victory was won by the goddess of wisdom, and she became the patroness of the city.

In antiquity, Athens, along with Sparta, played a leading role in the life of Greece. Democracy was formed here, the art of theater became. Outstanding creators, artists, orators and politicians lived in the city-state. Prosperity continued until the Peloponnesian Wars, which resulted in the defeat of Athens. They lost their leading position forever, although they finally turned into an ordinary provincial town with the rise of the Roman Empire and the advent of Christianity.

In the Middle Ages, French, Italian and Byzantine knights claimed the right to own Athens. In the 15th century, the city was ceded to the Ottoman Empire. Subsequently, the wars between the Turks and the Venetians further weakened the city - the population decreased, many historical monuments were destroyed.

Only in 1833 the city managed to become the Greek capital and a new era began. The University of Athens, Syntagma Square and the National Park appeared, the first modern Olympic Games were held.

Today Athens is a metropolis and a major transport hub of Greece with a vibrant nightlife, ancient monuments, and a host of cultural events. The city has a developed trolleybus and bus network, metro and an international airport that annually receives 16 million passengers.

Best season to visit Athens

The right time to visit Athens depends entirely on the purpose of the visitor. One thing is for sure: the Greek capital is a year-round destination, attractive in any season.

If you want to explore the city without queues and heat, and also have a large selection of hotels, it is better to come in January-April or October-November. However, keep in mind that during the low season, some restaurants are closed, and attractions change schedules. June-September are considered the busiest months. Numerous crowds of tourists pour into the bustle of Athens. Although there is no better time to combine sightseeing tourism and recreation on the coast.

Athens - attractions

The goal of any tourist in Athens is the Acropolis with many historical monuments. Among the main ones are the theater of Dionysus, in which competitions for authors of tragedies and other cultural events of Athens were held. The outstanding monument of the Acropolis Erechtheion will give a complete picture of the architecture of the Ionian order. And the scale of the Parthenon will allow you to appreciate the works of the best architects and builders of antiquity. All original finds of the Acropolis can be seen in its New Museum, which owns a huge collection of statues, bas-reliefs and cult objects.

However, beautiful ancient buildings have been preserved not only on the Acropolis. On the Agora, which in ancient times was considered the center of urban life, is the temple of Hephaestus. It survived largely due to the fact that in Byzantine times a church was organized here. In the southern part of the Agora is the Odeon, reminiscent of a Roman amphitheatre. The Athens Festival is held here every year.

Tourists enjoy spending time in Plaka. This is the oldest district of Athens with colorful architecture, many old buildings, narrow streets and shops. The relaxed atmosphere makes Plaka one of the most charming places in the city.

Cape Sounion is located 65 km from the city, which is worth visiting for two reasons. Firstly, the temple of Poseidon and fragments of the temple of Athena have been preserved here. Secondly, on Sunion you can watch sunsets of amazing beauty. In addition, the cape is shrouded in legends. It was in this place, according to the myths, that Aegeus threw himself into the sea.

Athens: sea and beaches

Near the metropolis there are a number of good beaches, which the Athenians come to after a working day or on weekends. The suburb of Glyfada is the most popular destination. The sandy coast of this resort is ideal for families. Some beaches are free, others are well equipped and charge a fee to visit.

In the suburbs of Athens, there is Mati beach and Agios Andreas adjacent to it. The coast is strewn with pebbles, equipped with sun loungers. There are taverns and water attractions.

The beaches of Vouliagmeni are conducive to relaxation after a long day. They are 23 km away from the city. On the coast there are restaurants and tennis courts, playgrounds are equipped. Fans of wild beaches on Vouliagmeni will love the Limanaki place with exotic nature and clear sea.

How to get to Athens

The main transport gates of the Greek capital are the Eleftherios Venizelos airport and the port of Piraeus. The most convenient way to get to Athens is by air. The airport receives regular flights and charters from many countries. Directly from the terminal to several points in Athens can be reached by any of the six plying buses.

Taxi at Eleftherios Venizelos Airport.

Port of Piraeus.

Piraeus connects Athens with all popular destinations within Greece and beyond. From the port to the center you can take buses No. 49, 40 (to Syntagma and Omonia) or prefer the metro (Green Line).

EARLY ATHENS

The Athenian policy, one of the largest in Greece, included the whole of Attica - a region in the eastern part of Central Greece. Located on a peninsula, resembling a horn in shape and deeply protruding into the sea, in the north Attica bordered on Boeotia, in the west - on the regions on the isthmus of Isthmus. From the east and south, its lands were washed by the waters of the Aegean Sea. On the territory of Attica, in addition to its "capital" - the city of Athens, known since the Mycenaean era, there were several more small towns (Eleusis, Marathon, Bravron, etc.), as well as many dems- rural settlements. However, the Athenian policy was not always so large. It took shape gradually, through Synoykism. The Athenians themselves attributed the formation of the polis to the legendary king and hero Theseus, who, according to myths, lived even before the Trojan War. However, in reality, this process took several centuries, starting in the Homeric period, and ending at the beginning of the archaic era. When at the beginning of the 7th c. BC e. Eleusis, located on the border with Megara, an important religious center with the famous sanctuary of the goddess Demeter, became part of the policy; the unification of the regions of Attica around Athens was completed.

Athenian Sinoikism, in contrast to similar processes in other Greek policies, was not accompanied by the relocation of all the inhabitants of the policy to the main city. In the archaic era, more than half of the citizens of Athens lived in the countryside.

The relief of Attica was quite diverse: low mountain ranges (Hymett, Parnet, Pentelikon) alternated with rocky plains. The natural resources of Attica are neither too abundant nor too scarce. The soils were not very suitable for growing crops, so the Athenians always felt a lack of bread and were forced to import grain. At the same time, the conditions for the cultivation of olive trees were very favorable. Olives (olives) were one of the main wealth of Athens. It is no coincidence that the olive tree was revered as a sacred symbol of the patroness of the Athenian state - the goddess Athena. By Greek standards, Attica was rich in minerals. In the south of the region, in Lavria, there were large deposits of silver. These mines, when they began to be intensively developed, became one of the main factors in the economic prosperity of Athens in the classical era. Marble and high-quality clay suitable for the production of ceramics were also mined in Attica.

The inhabitants of Attica belonged to the Ionian sub-ethnic group of the Greek ethnos. In the early stages of the history of the state, when the policy was still in the process of formation, the civilian population was divided according to the tribal principle. The most important and largest units were four phyla(i.e. tribes); Every Athenian citizen was a member of one of the phyla. Phil was divided into phratries- associations of a cult nature. The phratry, in turn, was made up of childbirth. However, not all the inhabitants of Attica were members of the clans, but only aristocrats; belonging to any kind was thus a confirmation of the noble origin of the person.

Athens Acropolis. Photo

At the same time, the territorial division of the policy gradually begins: each phylum was divided into three trittia, and each tritia is four navkraria. There were 48 navcraries in total, and these small districts were the smallest territorial units. Each navkraria was obliged to maintain a warship, which was part of the Athenian fleet, at its own expense.

The capital of the policy - Athens - was located in the central part of Attica, a few kilometers from the coast of the Saronic Gulf, in the valley of a small river Kefis that dried up in summer. The main Athenian hill - Acropolis- was the religious center of the policy and its citadel. It housed temples, houses of rulers, as well as city defensive fortifications, since in the era of the archaic Athens was not surrounded by a wall. On some of the hills adjacent to the Acropolis (Areopagus, Pnyx, etc.) there were also public buildings and sanctuaries. Not far from the foot of the Acropolis was Agora- the main city square, one of the centers of political life.

Athens already existed in the 2nd millennium BC. e., during the Mycenaean era. The growth of the role of Athens was facilitated by the fact that the Dorians, who crushed the Mycenaean civilization, practically bypassed Attica. And therefore, the composition of the population of the region, in fact, did not change, only Achaean refugees appeared who fled from the Dorians in Attica. There were no alien conquerors here, as in Sparta, and there were no dependent people, like helots. The relative absence of conflict (continuity) of Athenian history between the 2nd and 1st millennia BC. e., undoubtedly, played a role in the future, new for Greece of the era of “dark ones to a lesser extent. Period X-VIII centuries. BC e. was for Athens even a time of relative prosperity, especially in economic terms. In particular, geometric-style Attic painted pottery was perhaps the finest in Greece. However, by the seventh century BC e. the development of this policy slows down, and Athens becomes one of the ordinary, albeit large, states of the Greek world.

Athena Promachos. Statuette from the Athenian Acropolis(5th century BC)

An exceptionally important role in all aspects of the life of Athens was played by the aristocracy - Eupatrides(i.e. sons of noble fathers). In terms of the proportion of the nobility in the composition of the population, the Athenian policy almost surpassed all other Greek states. One of the reasons for this was the influx into Attica at the turn of the 2nd-1st millennium BC. e. aristocrats from the Peloponnese who fled from the Dorians. These refugees were welcomed into Athens; one of the noble families that came to Attica from Pylos, even founded the last Athenian royal dynasty Medontides.

Throughout the archaic era, the aristocrats firmly held in their hands all the levers of power in Athens. They gradually achieved a reduction in the powers of the basilei, and then the elimination of their rule. The king's term in power was limited to ten years, and later reduced to one year. The position of the king from hereditary turned into an elective one and became available to representatives not only of the Medontides dynasty, but also of other noble families. To limit the power of the ruler, various government positions were introduced to manage the policy.

At the beginning of the 7th century BC e. the political system of the Athenian polis was formed as aristocratic republic. At the head of the state was a board of nine magistrates- senior officials who held their post during the year. They were called archons, and between them there was a certain differentiation of functions. First Archon - eponym- was considered the highest civil official of the policy; he gave his name to the year in which his reign fell. The second archon basil- was the heir to the ancient royal power, but in the archaic era retained only the powers of the high priest of the policy, the head of the religious life of the community. Third Archon - polemarch- was the supreme commander of the armed forces. The remaining six archons - thesmofetes- controlled the observance of oral law (there were no written laws in Athens yet).

Played an extremely important role in management Council of the Areopagus- the main stronghold of the power of the aristocracy. It included archons whose term of office had expired; they remained members of the Areopagus for life. It was the Areopagus, who enjoyed great authority, who had the right to appoint a citizen to the post of archon. The Areopagus exercised the highest control over the entire life of the state, and was also the supreme judicial instance that dealt with the most important cases.

National assembly in Athens until the VI century. BC e. did not play any significant role. In general, the position of the ordinary demos was rather belittled. He was completely subordinate to the aristocracy and, in addition, was economically dependent on it, which was constantly increasing. In the second half of the 7th c. BC e. debt bondage became widespread; appeared on peasant lands mountains(mortgage stones), which marked the actual transfer of such fields to the disposal of creditors and the transformation of the former owners into disenfranchised tenants. Sometimes insolvent debtors fell into real slavery.

Thus, in the socio-economic and political evolution of the Athenian polis during the first two centuries of the archaic era, tendencies were manifested that were characteristic of the Greek world as a whole. At the same time, the pace of development of Athens can be defined as average - faster than, say, in the policies of Boeotia and Thessaly, but slower than in such developed states as Corinth, Megara, Chalkis. In particular, the Athenians did not take a very active part in the Great Greek colonization, because such a large, by Greek standards, policy did not experience “land hunger”. Only at the end of the 7th century. BC e. Athens sent the first expedition to the zone of the Black Sea straits and founded the colony of Sigei on the coast of Asia Minor.

In 636 BC. e. in Athens, for the first time, an attempt was made to establish tyranny. A young aristocrat tried to seize power Kilon, shortly before that he won the Olympic Games. Leading a detachment of peers, he occupied the Acropolis. However, the demos did not support Cylon, and his rebellion was relatively easily suppressed by the authorities of the policy; at the same time, however, it was not without mass bloodshed and murders. Representatives of a noble family played an important role in the massacre of the rebels. Alcmeonids, who later was destined to rule in the Athenian state. The failure of the conspirators showed that Athens was not yet ready to accept a tyrannical regime. However, the rebellion of Cylon aggravated the struggle between the aristocratic factions. Murder followed murder, as the old custom of blood feud came into play.

The first Greek code of written laws, created in 621 BC, was called upon to stop internecine strife. e. legislator Dragontom. The most important place in this code was occupied by the laws on murders. Their observance was supposed to, if not completely eliminate blood feuds, then, in any case, put punishment under the control of the state. From now on, the relatives of the murdered were obliged to refer the case of punishment to the Areopagus court, and not to deal with the killer without permission.

So, by the turn of the VI-VI centuries. BC e. in the life of the Athenian policy, two major processes were outlined: the constant struggle of aristocratic families and the growing enslavement of the demos. Both of these processes seriously undermined the stability of the state. To improve the situation, reforms were carried out, which, however, did not help to completely change the situation. But they dramatically accelerated the development of Athens, turning this policy into one of the most significant in Hellas, which eventually allowed it to become the political, economic and cultural center of the Greek world.

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This truly legendary Greek city is famous all over the world. The capital of ancient and modern Greece in its history has experienced the greatest ups and no less epic falls. Like a Phoenix bird, Athens was reborn after devastating wars, conquests and natural disasters. At the same time, the Greeks managed to preserve part of the historical heritage of the city: today the ruins of the Acropolis and the remains of ancient sculptures are adjacent to fashionable hotels and modern shopping centers. The features of the most important Greek policy will be discussed in today's material.

The history of these glorious places has almost ten thousand years. The exact date of the founding of the city of Athens is unknown, but according to the widespread version, settlements appeared here in 7 thousand BC. They were located in the southern part of Attica, where there are low mountains covering the valley with settlements on three sides.

The founder of Athens is considered the first ruler in the Athenian kingdom - King Kekrop, who was half man, half snake. According to legend, choosing the patron of the city, he asked the gods a simple task: to make a useful gift. Poseidon presented the fountain, but the water in it turned out to be salty and undrinkable. And the goddess Athena gave the new policy a tree with unusual fruits - olives. Kekrop chose a gift from the goddess, after whom the city of Athens was named.

The apogee of Athens' glory was reached in the 5th century BC. Actually from 500 to 300 BC. The whole of Ancient Greece reached the golden age of development, and its capital became the cradle of culture, economics and politics. However, the political system of the Greek country was such that Athens was not so much the capital of Greece, but acted as an independent state. Polis remained the most important center of ancient times until the heyday of the Roman Empire.

In the third century AD, Athens loses its former grandeur and becomes a provincial town. Then come the long centuries of constant wars and conquests by foreign troops, leading to the looting, destruction and even burning of Athens. A new round in the history of the city begins only in the 19th century, when the Greeks managed to free themselves from the dictates of the Ottoman Empire.

Since 1833 Athens has been the official capital of Greece. Having achieved independence, the Greek kingdom begins to develop rapidly. King Otto of Bavaria intended to restore the country to its former greatness and restore the prestige of the capital. To do this, architects were called to Athens, who designed several city streets and public buildings in the neoclassical style (including the University of Athens, the National Park, Syntagma Square, etc.). Gradually, the city acquired its former appearance and in 1896 the first modern Olympic Games were held here at the new stadium.

The 20th century is significant for the beginning of archaeological excavations that help restore the heritage of ancient Greece. In the 1920s, the Greeks sign an agreement with the Turks on the exchange of population, as a result of which a wave of immigrants rolls into Athens. Added to this are the successful treaties for the Greeks on the Balkan wars, after the conclusion of which the territory and population of the country, incl. Athens, doubled.

During World War II, the city fell under German occupation, but after the war, it again continues its rapid development. The construction and industrial boom of the mid-20th century, at the beginning of the 21st century, leads to transport and environmental problems. To date, some of them have been successfully solved, which was greatly facilitated by the 2004 Athens Olympics.

Modern Athens is a dynamic city that combines ancient heritage with the vibrant and vibrant life of 21st century Europe. There are many nightclubs, brand shops, entertainment centers and tourist hotels here. But above all this, the ancient Acropolis, the Temple of Olympian Zeus, the Parthenon and the remains of ancient theaters still rise.

Geographic location

Athens is located in mainland Greece, in the south of the Balkan Peninsula. Polis is located on the central plain of Attica, surrounded by mountains and the Saronic Gulf. Over the years of active development and settlement, the city has come close to these natural boundaries. So further expansion of the urban area is almost impossible.

Greece is southeastern Europe, and Athens is one of the southernmost European cities. But you are unlikely to need a map of European countries, but the plan of the city of Athens is useful to any traveler. The city is very large, so it is quite difficult to move around without a street map.

Population

Everyone knows what a glorious capital Greece has and what the main attractions of Athens are called. But, few people know that the population of the city of Athens is 1/3 of the total population of the country! Just think about it, a third of the population of the state lives in one city.

The resident population in Athens in 2017 is more than 3.5 million people, while the total number of inhabitants of Greece for the same year is 10.9 million people. At the same time, migrants and part of the local population registered in other regions also live in the capital city. Approximately their number can be estimated at another 500 thousand people. This is the capacious capital of the Greeks.

Climate

Like the rest of the country, Athens is influenced by the Mediterranean climate. It provides a consistently sunny hot summer and a long autumn, in fact smoothly turning into spring. Winter frosts are rare in the region.

The area where Athens is located is characterized by low humidity, so the summer heat is tolerated comfortably. Summer temperatures reach +30°С and higher. Rainy days are most common in autumn, while precipitation is very rare in summer.

How to get to Athens

The Greek capital can be reached by plane, ferry and land transport.

The air harbor of the city is called Eleftherios Venizelos. Arriving at Athens airport, it is very easy to go straight to the city center. A metro line runs from the terminal, and numerous buses and suburban trains depart from the airport to the city.

The port of Piraeus is the sea gate to the capital Athens. Foreign ships moor here, as well as an endless stream of local ferries of the most diverse capacity. Please note that in winter, the schedule of ships is often violated by the vagaries of the weather.

You can drive into Athens by car or bus along numerous highways and routes. Distance, travel time and comfort of the route, of course, depends on the starting point of departure.

The best time of the year to visit Athens is difficult to determine. Spring and summer are the hottest temperatures and the peak season, but the cost of rest is more expensive. In autumn and winter, the demand for recreation is lower, but the weather conditions are worse. However, if you search well, you can find a hot offer and go on vacation in Greece and Athens at a discount. To do this, view the calendar of low prices for air tickets and online services for the selection of tours and accommodation.

Athens travel guide

Here, our material about holidays in Athens comes to the equator, and from dry facts and theory, we begin to move on to tourism practice, i.e. walks around the city. Next, we will tell you about the most interesting places in Athens and the unique sights of Greece that have been preserved in the capital city. We will also touch upon the nuances and subtleties of Athens tourism and, of course, we will talk about hotels in Athens.

Sea and beaches in Athens

In the suburbs of the capital there are many coastal villages with well-groomed and equipped coasts. The following local beaches are the most popular with tourists:

• Voula;
• Asteros;
• Faliron;
• Alimas;
• Acti Vouliagmeni.

The best time for a beach holiday in the Greek capital is July-August. You can get to the coast by public transport. In most cases, it is more convenient to take tram number 3, because lines run along the coastal zone. Bus number 122 runs to Vouliagmeni.

Districts of Athens

The capital Greek policy is divided into seven districts, but tourists are advised to settle only in the center of Athens. This is dictated by both the developed infrastructure and the proximity of attractions, as well as security issues.

Plaka

The most historically significant area of ​​the city, located at the foot of the Acropolis. Particularly atmospheric in Anafiotika, the western part of Plaka. Here, narrow cobbled streets and low white houses, traditional for Greek architecture, give the impression of a truly Ancient Hellas.

The area has a very developed tourist infrastructure: many cafes, taverns, shops, hotels and entertainment. The historical heritage of the area is also rich. Here you can get acquainted with ancient monuments, as well as sights from the time of Byzantine and Turkish domination.

Monastiraki

Another oldest district of the city, closely adjacent to the Acropolis.

Monastiraki is actually a large commercial and historical center of the city. Famous sights are located here: Tower of the Winds, Fethiye Mosque, Hadrian's Library. And what a beautiful panorama opens up to the Acropolis from the local Keramiks (ancient cemetery). There is no other such view of Ancient Hellas in the whole city.

Separately, it is worth mentioning the local market and the myriad of shops on Ermou Street. Lovers of shopping and sales, of course, should settle here.

Thissio

Quiet and peaceful area, actually a park area. Here you can relax from the noisy city bustle and enjoy the coolness of local parks. At the same time, the geographical position of the area allows easy access to the center of Athens, located a few hundred meters to the east.

Thissio also has many places for cultural recreation. In this area you can:

• look at the ruins of the Agora complex;
• take a walk along the pedestrian street named after the Apostle Paul;
• go to Pnyx Hill;
• visit the Athens Conservatory, the Observatory and the Dora Strato Theatre.

And do not forget about local shops, shops, cafes and taverns.

Syntagma

The name of the district was given by the historical square, which is called only the heart of Athens. It is from here that excursions to the historical Plaka and Monastiraki, as well as just walks around the city, originate.

Near Syntagma is the National Historical Museum, which is the former parliament building. And on the square itself there is already a modern parliament, which is a kind of attraction of these places. Tourists can see the facade and some of the premises of the building, as well as follow the solemn ritual of the changing of the guard.

Syntagma is also famous for its National Park, where you can enjoy the silence and views of nature.

Security in Athens

We have already answered the questions when it is better to go to Athens and where it is better to live in the capital. Now let's talk about how to behave in this huge Greek city.

General rules

The capital of Greece is crowded, and this circumstance sometimes plays into the hands of scammers and robbers. In order not to get into an unpleasant situation, try to always keep an eye on your belongings and follow these small tips:

1. Hold your bags in front, not behind or to the side;
2. Don't put valuables in your back pockets;
3. Do not walk around the city with backpacks (it is easier to steal from the back);
4. Do not wedge into crowds of protesters and demonstrators so that you are not detained by the police.
5. On public transport, be collected and keep your bag in plain sight.

Which areas are best avoided?

Like any major metropolis, Athens is fraught with dangerous quarters and their unreliable inhabitants. There are many beggars, homeless people and thieves on the far streets of the city. In particular, the district of Omonia Square, especially Sofeklos Street, is notorious for Athens. At night, the port streets of Piraeus, the vicinity of the Larissa railway station and Carassaki Square are dangerous for tourists.

Around Athens

In addition to visiting the capital itself, you can also go on a trip to the suburbs. The capital's neighborhoods are distinguished by both natural pearls and their own historical sights. So, here you can see the Averof floating museum, conquer Mount Parnitha, visit the zoological park or take a sea cruise to the island of Aegina or Hydra.

And if you are not afraid of a distance of 70 km, then you should go to Cape Sounion and see the Temple of Poseidon. Even the ruins of the building make a strong impression, and what was here in antiquity is comparable only to the Parthenon.

How to move around the city

It must be said that the transport system of Athens is well developed, but it does not always save you from exhausting traffic jams.

A single ticket is valid for a bus, trolleybus, tram, metro and train within the city limits. For 1.4 euros, you can make a 90-minute trip with transfers to any type of transport. Also on sale are daily tickets for 4, 5 €, and immediately for 5 days a ticket costs 9 €.

Trams

The total length of Athens tram lines is 27 km. The long line runs along the coast, and in the center of it there is a branch to the Syntagma area. There are 3 routes in the city:

• No. 3 Neo-Falira - Voula;
• No. 4 Syntagma - Neo-Falira;
• No. 5 Syntagma - Voula.

The rails are laid along separate streets, so that the Athenian trams are not afraid of citywide traffic jams.

Buses

By bus you can travel not only in the Greek capital, but also in its suburbs. The bus fleet has 1800 cars, and the number of routes reaches 300.

Of the important remarks, we note that in Greece all stops are made only on demand. You need to carefully monitor the road in order to have time to press the "stop" button and get off at your stop. If you are waiting for the bus on the street, then you should wave your hand to make the driver stop.

Underground

Another mode of transport with which you do not run the risk of getting into traffic jams. The metro unites all major transport hubs: port, railway station and airport. In total, 3 branches operate in the city:

• No. 1 Piraeus - Kifissia (green);
• No. 2 Antupoli - Elliniko (red);
• No. 3 Agia Marina - Airport (blue).

Note that there are no turnstiles in the Greek metro. But the ticket must be validated and saved for the entire trip, because There are controllers on the routes.

Taxi

Official taxis are yellow checkered cars with a Ταξί sign. Cars can be of different brands, but they are all equipped with meters, which are used to pay for the trip. The main rates are:

• In the city 0.7€ per km;
• Suburb 1, 2€ per km;
• Landing + 1.2 € to the amount of the trip;
• Phone call + 2 € to the amount of the trip.

At night, rates are doubled. When traveling, be careful, because. often there are drivers who want to "earn extra money" on tourists, increasing the bill for the road.

Rent a Car

There are many rental offices in the city, but we would recommend renting a car only for out-of-town trips. There is heavy traffic in Athens, frequent traffic jams and a problem with parking, so a rented car can only become an extra burden. Outside the city, a private car, on the contrary, has an advantage over the inconsistent public transport schedule.

Sights of Athens

The Greek capital is incredibly rich in unique monuments and cultural recreation facilities.

Museums

There are more than 250 exhibitions with various exhibits in the city. But the most interesting museums are:

• Acropolis;
• Agora;
• Archaeological Museum;
• The ship "Averof";
• Museum of Cycladic Art.

During the high season, the museum exhibitions are open to the public daily.

tourist streets

Churches and temples

Religious buildings in the city are also innumerable. Ancient culture has survived to this day: the Acropolis and its numerous temples. There are also many Orthodox churches in Athens: the Cathedral of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin, the Daphne Monastery, the Church of St. George. There are also Muslim monuments in the city. A striking example is the Tsisdaraki Mosque.

Tours

From Athens, you can go on an excursion to any corner of Greece. If you do not want to leave the capital for a long time, then a boat trip to the neighboring islands will be an excellent option.

Recreation and entertainment

In Athens, there is something to do in addition to cultural recreation.

Shopping, shops, souvenirs

There are dozens of shops on Ermu Street, incl. brand boutiques H&M, Zara, Benetton and much more. Here you can buy quality items from European manufacturers.

It is better to buy souvenirs and gifts in small shops and local markets. The original gift will be handmade ceramics or textiles. Prices in Athens are high, but do not forget that the Greeks are always willing to bargain.

Cuisine and restaurants

Metropolitan restaurants offer tourists local cuisine and popular dishes from other countries of the world. There are a lot of cafes and taverns in the city, but if you want only the best cuisine with gourmet dishes, then we recommend visiting Petrino, Lalloudes, Garbi and To Kofenio.

Clubs and nightlife

At night in the capital, life does not stop bubbling. For the regulars of the dance floors and incendiary parties, the best nightclubs of the city work:

• Villa Mercedes;
• Baronda;
• Venue;

Most establishments maintain a dress code (evening gowns). Entrance to parties is paid, and on average it is about 10 euros per person.

Young tourists in Athens will be no less interesting than adults. Especially if the family settles in a hotel with a playroom, animators and a children's menu.

In the city, children will be entertained by visiting the water park, planetarium, zoo and various attractions. Also, the children do not like to explore the ruins of ancient structures. But here the child must be carefully monitored so that the child does not harm either the ruins or himself.

Popular hotels in Athens

There are more than 2,000 hotels, hotels and apartments of various classes in the Greek capital. It is hardly possible to single out the best accommodation from this list. We can only note those hotels to which tourists express more trust and warm attitude. These are establishments such as:

Holidays in Athens are varied and exciting, not a single tourist will be bored here. It is impossible to keep silent about the shortcomings of the metropolis: crowdedness, environmental problems, traffic congestion and street hooliganism. But if you take into account the recommendations listed in the material and carefully plan your vacation, the trip will leave only pleasant impressions in your memory. Happy travels and unforgettable adventures!

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Classmates

“Athens is one of the greatest Greek cities. In the minds of people, he is associated with the whole of Ancient Greece. In part, this is deserved, because many of the achievements of the Hellenic civilization appeared in Athens. The city gave Greece dozens of philosophers, poets, playwrights, orators, historians, politicians. Athens imperiously drew to itself the best people of Greece. Even the conquering Romans paid tribute to the city, sparing the rebellious Athens for the sake of the glory of their ancestors.

Mycenaean and Homeric Greece

The territory of Athens has been inhabited since the Neolithic era. By the 15th century BC. e. attribute the appearance of an Achaean city on this site. On the Acropolis stood a citadel and a palace. But Bronze Age Athens was never a major political center like Mycenae, Tiryns or Pylos.

It is not clear whether the city suffered from the Dorians. The Athenians themselves were always proud of the fact that they were the autochthonous population of this land, and not settlers like other Hellenes. However, the beginning of Homeric Greece was a period of decline in the economic development of Athens. In the XI century BC. e. Ionian migration began, many Athenians went overseas and founded new cities on the coast of Asia Minor.

From about 900 BC, Athens became a major center of trade. During the period of the "Dark Ages" and the era of the Archaic, Athens developed like other Greek states. According to tradition, kings ruled the state for a long time. The abolition of royal power historical tradition dates back to 752 BC. e., when the hereditary basile was replaced by three officials - basile, polemarch and archon. The first was responsible for the religious sphere, the second was the commander of the army, and the third was in charge of the internal affairs of the state.

Aristotle wrote that at first the positions of three archons were introduced, and later their number was increased to nine. Former archons filled the council of the Areopagus, which enjoyed influence in Archaic Athens. Membership in this council was for life. The monarchy in the policy was replaced by an aristocratic republic. In the 9th-8th centuries, the population of Attica grew. Burials of that time become richer, luxury items are found in them. But at the end of the 8th century, something happened, and the policy began to decline. There have been theories about an epidemic or drought during this time. The same years include an increase in the number of finds in places of worship. Natural disasters could be the reason for the growth of the religiosity of the inhabitants of Attica. Trade declined and the Athenians became more involved in agriculture.

Synoykism and the annexation of Eleusis

An important process that allowed Athens to become a powerful city was Sinoikism. This word was called the union of several communities into one. Athenians managed to create a single state, the territory of which was comparable to the territory of neighboring Boeotia, where there were several separate city-states. The ancients attributed Sinoikism to the legendary king Theseus. According to them, the hero united Attica, which consisted of twelve independent states. Sinoikism did not imply the resettlement of the inhabitants of Attica to the city at the foot of the Acropolis. It consisted in the liquidation of all local authorities, whose place was now occupied by one general council in Athens.

In the West Attica the polis was located Eleusis. It has existed since Mycenaean times. In the VIII-VII centuries BC. e. Athens fought with Eleusis, and the struggle ended with the inclusion of this policy in the Athenian state. Sources close in time to the events report very sparingly about the war. The legends of the Greeks told about the war, where the legendary king Erechtheus commanded the Athenians, and the king Eumolpus commanded the Eleusinians. According to another version, Eleusis was subjugated by the grandson of Erechtheus, Ion. During excavations in Attica, the remains of an old border wall between the territories of the two policies were found. Probably, the conflict was not resolved by one battle, but dragged on for many years. In the 7th century BC e. the city became part of the Athens polis. After subjugation, Eleusis retained his governing bodies, which dealt with internal affairs. The nobility of the city, which was associated with the cult of the mysteries, retained a high position in the Athenian state. The temple of Eleusis was built in Athens, and the festival of the mysteries henceforth began there. But the mysteries themselves remained under the control of the Eleusinian clans.

7th-6th centuries BC e.: legislators and tyrants

By the end of the 7th century BC. e. Athens was an aristocratic republic. The inhabitants were divided into four phyla: Geleonts, Aegikoreas, Argads and Goplets. Their eponyms were the sons of the legendary Ion. Each phyla consisted of three trittia. At the head of the phyla were philobasilei, who were elected from among the noblest citizens. The estates of the population were divided into three categories - noble eupatrides, geomora farmers and demiurge artisans.

In the era of the Archaic, in many Greek policies, ambitious people seized power and became tyrants. In Athens, an aristocrat tried to become a tyrant Kilon. He was a young man from a noble family, the son-in-law of the tyrant Megara Theagenes. In 640 B.C. e. Cylon won the Olympic Games. In that era, victory in Olympia gave its owner a status close to sacred. The Delphic oracle gave the young man a prophecy that he would capture the Acropolis on the day of the greatest holiday in honor of Zeus. Cylon considered that the Olympic Games were this holiday, and with a group of supporters captured the Acropolis. The Athenians did not accept the tyrant and, under the leadership of the archons, laid siege to Cylon and his associates. After a long siege, the failed tyrant and his brother fled, while their comrades-in-arms surrendered.

In 621 BC. e. in Athens, the famous laws of Draco were passed. Almost nothing is known about this man. He did not hold the office of archon when his laws were written. Only the section on murder survives from the Drakont code. The legislator made a distinction between intentional and unintentional murder. The code of laws made it possible for the murderer and the relatives of the murdered to reconcile.

About the rest of the laws dragon there are only references that speak of the extraordinary severity of the laws. Draco's murder laws were in effect as early as the 4th century BC. e., but it is assumed that the rest of the code was canceled. Draco's legislation was not a reform, but a record of the customary law of the Athenians, which had been in force before him.

Draconian legislation did not resolve the contradictions in the policy, and in the first decade of the 6th century BC. e. a new legislator, Solon, entered the scene. This man came, like all the leaders of that time, from a noble family. In ancient times he had a reputation as a sage. Solon's poems have been preserved, where he talks about his activities. Among his legislative measures was the division of the Athenians into four groups based on property qualifications. People from different property groups had different political rights. Representatives of the first two groups were elected to the post of archon. The poorest citizens, the fetes, generally had the right only to access to the people's assembly and the courts. The legislator also took measures to free the Athenians who fell into debt bondage.

After the reforms of Solon, the life of the policy went on as usual - politicians who came from noble families competed for power. One of them was destined to become the ruler of Athens.

Peisistratus born about 600 BC. e. in a noble family that erected its origin to the king of Pylos Nestor. In the 560s BC. e. the future tyrant became famous as a commander: during the war with Megara, he captured their fortification Nisei. After his victory, Peisistratus became one of the three most powerful politicians in Athens. In 560 B.C. e. he received a detachment of bodyguards from the people and with their help seized power. He was soon removed from power. Then Peisistratus, having made an alliance with Megacles from the Alcmaeonid clan, returned. Soon he was again forced to leave Athens.

Ten years later, Peisistratus decided to return power by force. In 546 B.C. e. he landed near Marathon with an army of mercenaries and volunteers from several cities of Greece - Thebes, Eretria, Argos, Naxos. The inhabitants of that part of Attica where he landed supported the tyrant and strengthened his army. After that, in one battle, Peisistratus easily defeated the Athenian militia. His soldiers attacked the Athenians suddenly and put them to flight. At the same time, supporters of Peisistratus tried not to shed the blood of fellow citizens.

The tyrant occupied Athens. The Alcmeonids were forced to leave the city. Peisistratus quietly ruled the polis for almost twenty years. Ancient writers spoke of him as a humane and just ruler who cared about both the nobility and the common people.

Peisistratus expanded the Athenian possessions in Thrace, conquered Sigey from Mitylene, captured Delos. Great Dionysia began to be widely celebrated in Athens. At the end of his life, the tyrant decided to erect in the city a majestic temple dedicated to the supreme god. On the outskirts of Athens, work began on the construction of the Temple of Olympian Zeus. But the creation of this temple was not completed under Peisistratus or his sons, but only after seven centuries, when Greece was already a Roman province. By order of the Athenian tyrant, a commission was created that wrote down the texts of Homer's poems.

In 527 B.C. e. the tyrant died of old age, and his sons took power in Athens. Hippias and Hipparchus ruled in Attica, another son of Hegesistrat during the life of his father ruled Sigei, dependent on Athens. At first, the Peisistratids ruled in the spirit of their father. Exiled aristocrats were allowed to return to the polis. Cleisthenes, from the Alcmaeonid family, even held the position of archon. At the court of Peisistratus and his sons lived prominent poets of Greece - Anacreon and Simonides of Ceos, the Orphic poet Onomacritus. In 514 B.C. e. Hipparchus died at the hands of the conspirators Harmodius and Aristogeiton. The assassins acted out of personal motives, but the ideology of democratic Athens made them fighters against tyranny. Later, bronze statues of Harmodius and Aristogeiton stood in the city in a place of honor.

Supporters of the conspirators were executed, and Hippias began to rule harder. The aristocrats were again forced to leave Athens. Shortly thereafter, the Alcmeonids attempted to overthrow the tyranny. They occupied the fortress of Lipsidrius in Attica. But the troops of Hippias managed to drive out the Alcmeonids and their supporters from there. Aristotle quotes the drinking verses of the Athenian aristocrats, which glorify the courage of the Eupatrides who died defending the fortress.

During the years of exile, the Alcmeonids lived in Delphi. At their own expense, they rebuilt the Temple of Apollo. The priesthood of this city urged the Spartans to help the exiles. Finally, the army of Lacedaemon under the command of King Cleomenes entered Attica and defeated the supporters of Hippias. The tyrant surrendered, having been able to leave Athens safely.

After the fall of tyranny in the city, the aristocratic politicians Isagoras and Cleisthenes fought for power. The latter managed to win over the people of Athens by promising reforms. Having won the political struggle, Cleisthenes carried out a series of transformations.

The goal of Cleisthenes's reforms was to fight the old tribal orders. He created ten phyla instead of the previous four. Fifty representatives of each phylum formed a council of five hundred. The reformer divided one hundred demes of Attica into trittia. Each trittia included the demo of the city, the coastal and central parts. Three trittia were included in the phyla. The main territorial unit was the dem. Cleisthenes created a college of ten strategists, in whose hands was the military leadership of the policy. In the V-IV centuries BC. e. the post of strategist became the most important in Athens.

5th century BC e. rise and fall

In 507 B.C. e. Athenian embassy visited Persia. At Greeks and earlier there were contacts with the rulers of Asia Minor monarchies, so there was nothing unusual in it. But, not knowing the Persian customs, the Athenians provided the Persians with "land and water", which meant formal submission to the empire. During the Ionian uprising of 500-494 BC. e. the Athenians sent a small detachment of ships to help their relatives. The Athenian ships did not take part in the battles and soon returned back. But both of these events gave the Persians a pretext for war.

In 490 BC. e. The Persian army landed in Attica. The Athenians managed to win thanks to the military genius of their commander Miltiades. Immediately after the victory at Marathon, the commander offered to punish the Greek islanders who supported the Persians. Miltiades led an expedition against Paros, but was defeated. In the 480s BC. e. the leading role in Athens belonged to a man named Themistocles. He came from the aristocratic family of Likomides, who was inferior in nobility and wealth to the families whose representatives set the tone in the politics of that time - the Alcmeonides, the Philaides, the Keriks.

For the first time Themistocles was archon in 493 BC. e .. In this position, he began work on the creation of the harbor of Athens in the deme of Piraeus. Returned to the city Miltiades pushed Themistocles into the background, but in the 480s BC. e. he regained his former influence. At the suggestion of Themistocles, silver from the discovery in 487 BC. e. the veins were not directed to distribution to the people, as usual, but to the construction of the fleet. The Athenians managed to equip two hundred battle triremes, and this was the largest fleet in Greece. During the Persian invasion of 480-478 BC. e. Themistocles was at the head of the Athenian contingent in the Greek fleet. He was the second man in the fleet. But it was thanks to the decisions of Themistocles that the battle of Salamis was won.

During the war, the Athenians evacuated the population of their city. They sent some of the civilians to Troezen in the Peloponnese, and some to the island of Salamis. Empty Athens was occupied by the Persian army and destroyed. After returning to the city, on the initiative of Themistocles, the Athenians erected Long Walls around the city and Piraeus, which made Athens impregnable.

After the victories at Salamis and Plataea, the Athenians continued to fight against Persia. The war was fought outside of Greece: in Thrace, Asia Minor, Cyprus, Egypt. Finally, peace between Athens and the Achaemenid Empire was concluded in 449 BC. uh..

During the Greco-Persian wars, Athens founded the Delian Symmachy. It was later transformed into Athenian Maritime Union. It united more than 200 Greek cities of the Balkans, islands, Asia Minor. The allies had to pay Athens a tax called foros.

At the head of Athens after the expulsion of Themistocles around 476 BC. e. stood several prominent politicians. Aristides, the rival of Themistocles, played an important role in organizing the union. Sea campaigns against the Persians until his death in 450 BC. e. led by Cimon son of Miltiades.

Two decades after 449 B.C. e. were the time when Athens was headed by a politician Pericles. Under him, work was carried out to rebuild the Acropolis: the hill above the city was decorated with the majestic temples of the Parthenon and the Erechtheion. By this time, a democratic form of government had developed in the city, but Pericles wisely knew how to direct the will of the people in the direction he needed.

In 457-446 BC. e. Athens and Sparta fought. Then it was possible to conclude peace on acceptable terms. But in 431 BC. e. the war broke out again. A new conflict that went down in history as Peloponnesian War, lasted until 404 BC. e .. It ended with the complete defeat of Athens and the dissolution of the Athenian Maritime Union. During the meeting of the Spartans and their allies, representatives of Thebes openly demanded the destruction of the city and the sale of its inhabitants into slavery.

School of Hellas: features of the cultural life of Athens

In the Classical era, the most important achievements of the artistic culture of Athens were created. Tragedies and comedies were staged at the Great Dionysia, Leney and Anthesteria.

The philosopher Plato put the theater on a par with the courts and the people's assembly among the institutions that ensure a democratic form of government. In the city there was a special fund "Teorikon", from which the poorest Athenians were given money to buy tickets. Orator Demad called this money the cement of democracy.

It is believed that Pericles laid the foundation for the distribution of "theatrical money". It is known for certain that they existed at the time Demosthenes. Mentions of the theorikon after the subjugation of Athens to Macedonia in 322 BC. e. no. Most likely it was abolished.

An official was elected to manage the theorikon. In the 350s BC. e. the politician Evbul, who held this post, passed a law according to which all cash surpluses replenished the theorikon. This law established the death penalty for a proposal to use the money of the entertainment fund for other purposes. After a long struggle, just before the Battle of Chaeronea, Demosthenes was able to get the law repealed.

In the 380s BC. e. a former student of Socrates, Plato created his own philosophical school. The place for her was a grove near Athens, dedicated to the hero Academ. In honor of him, Plato's school got its name - the Academy. Classes included lectures by mentors and talks. It is not known how long the training at the Academy took - presumably one to two years. But Aristotle was a student of Plato for about twenty years.

Students flocked to Plato from all over the Greek world. Around 370 B.C. e. Aristotle arrived there from the provincial Stagira. After twenty years of living in Athens, he traveled for some time, and in 335 BC. e. founded his own school. It was called Likey after the place where it was founded.

In the summer, Panathenaic celebrations were celebrated in the city. Initially, they were celebrated for one day, then the celebrations were extended to three. The earliest mention of the Panathenaic dates back to the 7th century BC. e .. The Athenians called the founders of the holiday the legendary king Kekrop or the hero Theseus. It was also assumed that Theseus made Panathenaic a holiday common to all Attica.

Initially, the celebration consisted of offering the goddess a new peplos. In 566 BC. e. Panathenaic began to be accompanied by sports competitions. Since that time, the Panathenaic celebrations began every year, and once every four years, the Great Panathenaic, accompanied by the offering of peplos and competitions. To organize the holiday in the National Assembly, ten aflofetes were elected, one from each phylum. They held this position for four years. Under Peisistratus, the Great Panathenaic began to include competitions of rhapsodes performed by Homer's poems. Later, competitions of musicians were added to them.

Sports competitions included running, pentathlon, fisticuffs, pankration. There were three age categories of participants - boys, youths, adult men. The winners were awarded amphoras with olive oil. The musicians were awarded with a golden wreath and a sum of money.

Chariot races were held outside the city. The team competition was the performance of the dance in full armor. During the Great panathenaic Trier race took place. Each phyla fielded one ship with a crew, and they competed in speed between the harbors of Piraeus and Munichius.

The offering of the peplos was a solemn procession that left the Keramik region at dawn and went to the Acropolis. A robe for Athena was carried on a wagon. The peplos itself, nine months before Panathenaia, was woven by girls from the noble families of the policy. To guide the work, the archon-basiles chose two girls aged 7-11 from noble families. A pattern was embroidered on the robe, depicting the exploits of the goddess in the battle with the giants.

At the head of the procession on the Panatheneas were girls weaving peplos. Behind them are girls with vessels and censers for rituals and soldiers of the Athenian militia. There were many Athenians, Metecians and citizens of allied policies in the procession. A separate category was the canefor girls (“basket-bearers”), who carried the implements for the sacrifice in baskets. To become a canephora, a girl had to come from a good family, be beautiful and have a spotless reputation. The fathers of the Canefors received honors and rewards from the state. Girls who repeatedly performed this duty (not only in Panathenaia) were awarded honorary decrees and even statues.

Difficulties of the 4th century

The year after the Peloponnesian War became a time of new tyranny for Athens. After the conclusion of peace, a commission of 30 Athenian citizens became the head of the city. It was declared that they should draw up new laws for Athens. Contemporaries called them the Thirty, but later the Greeks and Romans gave this government a more catchy name - "thirty tyrants."

At the head of the Thirty stood the Athenian Critias son of Kalleskhra. He came from a noble family of Codrids. His father was one of the participants in the Four Hundred coup that tried to overthrow democracy. Critias himself was a student of Socrates in his youth, was friends with Alcibiades, even his epigram has been preserved, in which he claims that he proposed to return the disgraced commander from exile. Later he himself was expelled, lived in Thessaly, where he participated in some troubles.

Critias did not hide his contempt for the bulk of the people and the Meteki. The government of the Thirty under him established a regime of real terror in the policy: Meteks were arrested and executed without trial, and their property was appropriated. Only 3,000 Athenians were considered full citizens. Critias was reputed to be a fan of the Spartan order, and in his actions they see an attempt to rebuild Athens in the likeness of Sparta. Three thousand is an analogue of the Spartan homeys, the rest of the population of Athens are incomplete perieks.

Theramenes, another outstanding member of the government, criticized the actions of the head of the Thirty. But Critias, during a meeting of the assembly of three thousand, forced his colleague to commit suicide. Theramenes courageously took the goblet of poison, splashed some of its contents on the ground, as in a game of kottab, and drank the rest.

Thrasybulus, another friend of Alcibiades, took refuge in Thebes. From there he went out with 70 companions and occupied the fortress of Phil. She became the center where the Athenians began to flock, ready to fight the tyrants. The defenders of Philae repelled the attack of the Thirty warriors, and then gave them a battle, in which Critias died. Three thousand expelled the surviving members of the government and organized a new one, wanting to continue the fight against Thrasybulus. After negotiations, both sides managed to reconcile. In 403 BC. e. democratic government was restored in Athens. The People's Assembly has decreed that no one has the right to question another for his actions during the reign of the Thirty and the civil war. An exception was made for the surviving members of the government, but even they could justify themselves by giving an account of their actions. Separate trials took place, and the philosopher Socrates became the victim.

In 395 BC. e. Athens, Thebes, Argos and Corinth started a war against Sparta. When in 399 BC. e. The war between Sparta and Persia began, the Athenian strategist Konon, who lived at the court of the ruler of Cyprus, Evagoras, offered his services to the Persians. In 394 BC. e. Conon and the satrap Pharnabazus defeated the Spartans at sea near the island of Cnidus. After that, the Athenian returned to his homeland with Persian gold, with which they restored the fleet and the Long Walls of Piraeus.

At the end of the war, Persia began to support Sparta, and in 386 BC. e. with her participation in Susa, the Greeks concluded a peace treaty. He forbade interpolis unions, but transferred the islands of Lemnos, Imbros and Skyros to Athens.

The next thirty years were for Athens maneuvering time between Persia, Sparta and Thebes. In 378 B.C. e. Athens and Thebes started a war with Sparta. Created this year Second Athenian Maritime Union. The decree on its creation declared the non-interference of the Athenians in the internal affairs of the members of the union. In 377-376 BC. e. Athenian mercenaries under the command of the famous strategist Chabrius defended Boeotia from the Spartans. In 371 BC. e. the Thebans defeated the Spartans at Leuctra, and this victory made Boeotian Union the strongest state in Greece.

At the same time, Athens took up the old ways in relation to the allies. There were cases of interference in the internal affairs of cities. In 357 BC. e. The Allied War began. The city of Pallas was opposed by the former members of the alliance - Byzantium, Rhodes, Chios, who were supported by the Carian ruler Mausolus. Athens lost this war, but the Second Athenian Maritime Union existed in a truncated form for another two decades.

The allied war coincided with the first conflict between Athens and King Philip II of Macedonia. The struggle was for control of the cities of the Halkidiki peninsula. The confrontation between Athens and Macedonia ended with the Battle of Chaeronea in 338 BC. uh..

The Athenians lost the battle but retained their independence. During the reign of Alexander the Great, the politician Lycurgus was at the head of Athens. Thanks to his financial genius, the policy, not receiving income from foros, was able to increase its income several times. The Athenians accumulated strength - new ships were built (the Athenian fleet was never as large as it was in these years).

After the death of Alexander, Athens and some other policies decided to give battle to Macedonia. Thus began the Lamian War of 323-322 BC. e .. Under the command of the talented strategists Leosthenes and Antiphilus, the Athenians achieved some success, but in the end they were defeated at the Battle of Crannon. At the same time, the Macedonians defeated the Athenian fleet three times, which no longer revived as a serious military force.

Oligarchic rule was imposed on the city, which was soon overthrown. In 317 BC. e. one of the commanders of Alexander, Cassander, imposed on Athens his protege, Demetrius of Phaler, who ruled the city for ten years.

In 307 BC. e. Athens was liberated by the prince Demetrius, son of Antigonus, and Demetrius of Phaler fled. The Athenians restored the democratic constitution, destroyed the statue of the deposed ruler and repealed some of his laws.

For the first time in the history of the polis, they honored the kings with divine honors, and this marked the beginning of a tradition in the history of Hellenistic Athens. The cult of the savior gods Antigonus and Demetrius was established in the city, games were held in their honor. The priest was responsible for the cult of the new gods. Two more were added to the ten phyla - Antigonides and Demetrias, who received first place in the list of phyla. The podium, where the statues of the eponymous heroes of the phyla stood, was expanded and statues of kings were placed on it. Other statues of them were erected next to the monument to Harmodius and Aristogeiton.

In subsequent years, the Athenians retreated from Poliorket and again swore allegiance to him. In 287 BC. e. Athens rebelled and drove the king's garrison out of the city. But Piraeus and some fortresses of Attica remained under the control of Macedonia. The next 25 years the policy was independent. In 267 B.C. e. Athens ventured in alliance with Sparta and Egypt to challenge Macedonia. The war was unsuccessful, and Athens again became dependent on Macedonia. But in 229 B.C. e. the Athenians managed peacefully with the help of a sum of money to force foreign garrisons to leave Athens, Piraeus and other fortresses in Attica.

After the restoration of independence, the Athenians established the state cult of Demos. Its hereditary priests were the descendants of Mikion and Euryklid, by whose efforts in 229 BC. e. freedom has been achieved. Statues of citizens who had distinguished themselves before Athens began to be dedicated to the temple built by Demos.

In 224 BC. e. divine honors were awarded to the king of Egypt, Ptolemy III. A state cult was established for him and the position of a priest was introduced. The thirteenth phylum of Ptolemais was established. The number of members of the bule increased to 650. One deme from other phyla was attributed to the phylum, and a dem Berenicedes was also established in honor of Ptolemy's wife. The statue of the king took its place among the statues of the eponymous heroes of the Athenian phyla. A Ptolemaic public holiday was established.

On the eve of the war with Macedonia in 200 BC. e. King Attalus arrived in Athens. The people of the city received him with honor. The Athenians established a new phylum Attalis in honor of the king, and in its composition dem Apollonia, named after Attalus's wife.

At the end of the III century BC. e. a new power appeared in the Balkans - Rome. During the 2nd century BC. e. Athens was an ally of the Roman Republic, which was increasing its influence on the peninsula. In 88 BC. e. Athens ventured to support King Mithridates VI of Pontus in his war with Rome. At first, the Peripatetic philosopher Athenion became the head of the anti-Roman movement in the city. Later he was replaced by another native of Athens - Aristion, a follower of the philosophy of Epicurus. He was sent to the city by Mithridates.

The Pontic commander Archelaus made Piraeus his headquarters. In 87 B.C. e. Attica became a battlefield. The Roman general Sulla laid siege to Athens and Piraeus. Archelaus was a capable commander, and the siege of the port was difficult. By order of the Roman, the groves of the Academy and Lyceum were cut down and siege engines were made from the trees. March 86 B.C. e. Legionnaires captured the city with a night attack. A massacre began in Athens, but Sulla, at the request of the exiles and senators from his headquarters, stopped it, declaring that he spared the living for the sake of the dead. Aristion with loyal people defended the Acropolis for some time, but hunger forced him to surrender. The philosopher, the soldiers of his guard, the magistrates of Athens that year were executed. Archelaus escaped Piraeus with his army by sea.

After the war ended, Sulla returned to Athens. There, the honors of the Athenians awaited him: he was glorified as a liberator from the tyranny of Aristion, they held a feast of Silleia in his honor, and a statue of the commander was erected.

During the civil war between Caesar and Pompey, Greece became the battlefield, and its policies supported Pompeii. Several Athenian ships reinforced his fleet, and Athenian hoplites entered his army and fought at Pharsalus. After Caesar's victory, the Athenian embassy arrived to beg him for mercy. Julius Caesar forgave the city for the glory of the ancestors of the Athenians. The Athenians habitually erected a statue of the Roman, on the pedestal of which they glorified him as a savior and benefactor. A few years later, the Athenians were again dragged into the civil wars of the Romans. After the assassination of Caesar, Athens supported his assassins. October 44 B.C. e. Brutus and Cassius sailed to Greece. Honorary decrees were passed in her cities in honor of the murderers of Caesar, and the Athenians erected their bronze statues next to the statues of Harmodius and Aristogeiton.

Brutus lived for some time in Athens. He attended lectures by the philosophers of the Academy and the Lyceum. At the same time, he was working to gather forces, attracting to his side the influential Romans who held posts in the Balkans.

After the defeat of Brutus and Cassius, Mark Antony lived in Athens for some time. He tried to win over the inhabitants of the ancient city and enjoyed being called "the friend of the Athenians." In 39-37 BC. e. Mark Antony lived in Athens with his wife Octavia, who was very much loved by the townspeople.

In 32 BC. e., when the war with Octavian began, Antony with Queen Cleopatra visited Athens. Keeping in mind the popularity of Octavia, the ruler of Egypt tried to win over the citizens of the policy with gifts. After the Battle of Actium in 31 B.C. e. August occupied the city without a fight. This ended the period of independence of Athens, which was to become part of the province of the Roman Empire. Achaia.