The population of ancient Athens. Athens

Age of Athens - two and a half thousand years. The glorious past of the city is now clearly visible: literally from everywhere you can see the ancient Acropolis, towering over the city. Today Athens is a modern metropolis with a population of about four million people. In the twenty-first century, this great city has changed. This was partly due to the 2004 Olympic Games. Now Athens is something more than a repository of antiquities. The city has changed a lot and, contrary to ideas about it as a city with a polluted environment and unbearable traffic, it leaves an amazing impression.

The building boom after the end of World War II and the increase in population from 700,000 to 4 million turned into an architectural disaster. However, now the face of the city is changing: new roads, metro are being built, and the expansion of the pedestrian zone in the city center has already saved Athens from painful traffic jams and even reduced the cloud of smog that literally poisons the metropolitan atmosphere. The cleaner air is evident in the reopening of the views that Athens was once famous for, and despite the skyscrapers and fast food establishments, the city manages to retain its unique charm and character.

Oriental bazaars rival fashion boutiques and shops stocked with Armani and Benetton merchandise. The rapid modernization is balanced by a sense of homeliness in the air: any Greek will tell you that Athens is the largest village in the country. No matter how often you come to Athens, what remains of the classical ancient city will attract your attention - first of all, the Parthenon and other monuments of the Acropolis, as well as the updated one, which presents the best collection of antiquities.

Most of the several million visitors who visit Athens every year limit themselves to visiting these monuments, adding to them only an evening in a romantic setting in one of Plaka's tourist taverns. But in doing so, they miss the chance to see the Athens that the Athenians themselves know and love. Even if you looked into the city for a very short time, this does not justify the desire to see in Athens only a cluster of preserved antiquities and museum exhibits. It would also be worth spending some time getting to know the surroundings of the capital, visiting not far from Athens.

For tourists, the most accessible is probably Plaka - an area in which Turkish, neoclassical and Greek island architecture is mixed. Further along are interesting museums dedicated to traditional arts and crafts, from ceramics to music. A little further north are bazaars, almost the same as in the Middle East, and an additional reward are cafes, bars, clubs in Psirri and the booming, as well as the National Park and shady and elegant. Not so far from Plaka are the hills - Likabet and Philopappou, from which the whole city is visible at a glance, and the tram runs (in the summer it will take you to the beach). All of the above sights can be seen during.

But most of all visitors are surprised in Athens by the bustling life of the city. The cafe is always crowded, during the day and after midnight, the streets are not empty until three or even four in the morning, bars and clubs attract night owls. There is also a place to eat, so much so that it will be remembered for a long time: there are many traditional taverns, and chic restaurants await discerning gourmets. In summer, cafe tables are taken out on street pavements, club life moves to the beaches, or you can go to the cinema, attend concerts and performances based on the works of classical ancient Greek drama under open sky. Shoppers are dizzy: lively colorful bazaars and huge retail spaces in the suburbs, called malls in the American manner, and, of course, boutiques filled with the creations of the most fashionable fashion designers.

And very good - and for the price too - public transport, an inexpensive taxi, so you will not have any special difficulties with the movement. Describing the suburbs of Athens - they and the region as a whole will be discussed in other articles - here attention is paid, first of all, to the monuments of antiquity. The temple of Poseidon in Sounion is most eagerly visited: that wonderful architectural monument is located on a cliff overlooking a cape. The sanctuaries of Ramne (Ramnus), Eleusis (Elefsina) and Vravron, as well as the burial mound at Marathon, which was poured in honor of the great victory, are not so well known and not so often visited.

Hiking enthusiasts may want to climb - the mountains have encircled the city, and it is best to climb Mount Parnita. If it is in the spring, then at the same time you will pick up an armful of a variety of marvelous forest and wildflowers. The beaches of the Attic coast are good enough to attract city-weary Athenians, but if you're going to the islands, familiarity with the local beaches is optional. Getting out of Athens is easy: dozens of ferries and hydrofoils leave daily from the Athens suburban port of Piraeus, and also, less often, from two more Attic ports with ferry berths - Rafina and Lavrion.

A Brief History of Athens (Greece)

Athens is a city where life began over seven thousand years ago. A low rocky hill, which later became the Acropolis of Athens, has attracted people since ancient times as a convenient place for settlement. It rises in the middle of a valley irrigated by the rivers Kephis and Iliss and surrounded by the mountains Hymettes, Penterikon, Parnet and Egalei. The slopes of the hill, whose height is 156 meters above sea level, are impregnable, and therefore it is natural that all these advantages were duly appreciated by the ancient inhabitants of Attica. The Mycenaeans built a palace-fortress on the rock.

Unlike other Mycenaean settlements, during the Dorian invasion (about 1200 BC), Athens was neither abandoned nor sacked, so the Athenians always prided themselves on being "pure" Ionians, without the Dorian "impurity". But the Mycenaean-type state did not survive in Athens. Gradually, the village turned into a polis (ancient city-state) and Cultural Center. The rulers of Athens were the kings - the basilei, who then ceded the power to the tribal nobility - the Eupatrides. People's meetings took place at the Propylae of the Acropolis. To the west rose the rocky hill of Apec, named after the god of war. Here, on a leveled peak, the Areopagus gathered - the council of the elders of the noble families of the city, the Areopagites. Athens in those days remained in the shadow of large and powerful policies, such as and.

Athens grew rich, and the increased prosperity contributed to the rapid growth of arts and crafts, especially pottery. But economic growth increased political tensions: the dissatisfaction of farmers and Athenians grew, who were excluded from public life, but paid taxes and filed on land that went to the landed aristocracy. Only the reorganization of society, which was aimed at the laws of Dracon (his "draconian" code was promulgated in 621 BC) and the election of Solon as ruler (594 BC), who was empowered to carry out radical political and economic reforms.

Solon's reforms granted civil rights to broad sections of the population and laid the foundations for a system that eventually developed into Athenian democracy. In the middle of the 6th century BC, Peisistratus seized power. Pisistratus is usually called a tyrant, but this only means that he took power by force: his populist policies won him the loyalty and love of many fellow citizens, he turned out to be a very successful ruler, under which Athens became much more powerful, richer and more influential. His sons Hippias and Hipparchus were not so happy: Hipparchus was killed in 514 BC, after which Hippias tried to establish a dictatorship.

He was very disliked by the people and was overthrown with the help of an army called from Sparta in 510 BC. The new leader Cleisthenes carried out more radical transformations: he introduced a government board of 10 strategists, created territorial phyla instead of tribal ones, and each of them sent fifty representatives to the State Council of Bule. Boulet made decisions on issues discussed in the Assembly. All citizens could participate in the Assembly and it performed the functions of both legislative power and supreme court. The reforms proposed by Cleisthenes formed the basis of Athenian democracy, which lasted almost unchanged until Roman rule.

Around 500 BC, Athens sent a detachment of warriors to Asia Minor to help the Ionian Greeks who rebelled against the Persian Empire, which provoked a retaliatory Persian invasion of Greece. In 490 BC, the Athenians and their allies defeated the vastly superior Persian forces at the Battle of Marathon. In 480 BC, the Persians returned, captured and sacked Athens and left almost the entire city burned to the ground. In the same year, however, the victory in the naval battle at put an end to the struggle between the Greeks and the Persians, while at the same time securing Athens' position as the leading city-state in the Greek world, and Athens was able to unite the cities of the islands. Aegean Sea and central Greece into the Delian League, also called the Athenian Maritime League.

The newfound power gave rise to the so-called classical period, during which Athens reaped the fruits of its success and the triumph of democracy along with the flowering of arts, architecture, literature and philosophy, and the influence of this era on world culture is felt to this day. In the second century BC, power passed to the Romans, who revered Athens as a spiritual source, but made little effort to give the city more brilliance.

Christians and Turks in Athens (Greece)

The emergence of Christianity is, perhaps, the most significant milestone in the process of the long decline of Athens, which lost the glory that the city knew in the classical era. At the end of Roman rule, during which the appearance of the city changed little, Athens lost its role as a link in the Greco-Roman world, and the reason for this was the division of the Roman Empire into East and West and the formation of Byzantium (Constantinople) as the capital of the eastern Byzantine Empire. In this empire, the new Christian attitude very soon overshadowed the ethics developed by Athens, although Neoplatonism was still taught in the philosophical schools of the city.

In 529, these lyceums were closed, and Justinian I, who finished with them, ordered at the same time to re-consecrate the city churches, and all of them, including the Parthenon, became Christian churches. Then Athens almost ceases to be mentioned in chronicles and annals, a hint of a revival was outlined only during the reign of foreign rulers and the Middle Ages: as a result of the Fourth Crusade, Athens with the Peloponnese and a large part of the central one fell into the hands of the Franks. The ducal court was located on the Acropolis, and for a whole century Athens returned to the mainstream of European life. The power of the Franks, however, had almost no one to rely on, except for the provincial aristocracy.

In 1311, the Frankish troops fought the Catalan mercenaries, who had fortified themselves in Thebes, and were driven into the swamp. The Catalans, who organized their own principality, were replaced by the Florentines, and then for a very short time by the Venetians, until in 1456 he appeared Turkish sultan Mehmed II, conqueror of Constantinople. Athens during the period of Turkish rule was a military settlement with a garrison stationed in it, every now and then (and to considerable damage to the buildings of the classical period) being at the forefront of battles with the Venetians and other Western powers.

Ties with the West were severed, only occasionally French and Italian ambassadors appeared in the Sublime Porte. Occasionally rare travelers or inquisitive painters would visit Athens. During this period, the Greeks enjoyed some degree of self-government, the monasteries of the Jesuits and Capuchins flourished. turned into the residence of the Ottoman ruler, and the Parthenon was turned into a mosque. The areas around the Acropolis returned to the distant past, switched to a partial peasant existence, and the port in Piraeus was forced to be content with servicing a dozen or two fishing boats.

Four hundred years of Ottoman rule ended in 1821, when, together with the inhabitants of dozens of cities in the country, the Athenian Greeks revolted. The rebels occupied the Turkish districts of the lower city - this is the current one - and laid siege to the Acropolis. The Turks retreated, but five years later they returned to re-occupy the Athenian fortifications, the Greek rebels had to withdraw deep into the mainland. When in 1834 the Ottoman garrison left for good, and a new, German, monarchy arose, 5,000 people lived in Athens.

Modern Athens (Greece)

Despite the ancient past and the natural advantages of its location, Athens did not immediately become the capital of modern Greece. This honor initially went to Nafplion in the Peloponnese, the city in which Ioannis Kapodistrias developed plans for the War of Independence, and from where he later led it, and where in 1828 the first meeting of the country's first parliament, the National Assembly, took place. And if I. Kapodistrias had not been killed in 1831, it is quite possible that he would have remained the capital, or maybe it would have been transferred from Nafplio to Corinth or - the cities are better equipped and quite large.

However, after the death of Kapodistrias, the intervention of the Western European "Great Powers" followed, imposing their monarch on the country - Otto, the son of Ludwig I of Bavaria, became him, and in 1834 the capital and the royal court moved to Athens. The rationale for the move was reduced to symbolic and sentimental reasons, because the new capital was of little importance. locality and was on the very edge of the territory of the new state - it had yet to include northern, Macedonia and all the islands, except for those already available and.

In the 19th century, the development of Athens had the character of a gradual and completely manageable process. While archaeologists were ridding the Acropolis of all the architectural layers that the Turks and Franks had adorned it with, the city was gradually being built: the streets intersected at right angles, neoclassical buildings in the Bavarian style appeared. Piraeus managed to turn into a full-fledged port again, because before early XIX centuries, he was greatly hindered by competitors - the largest ports of Greece on the islands and. In 1923, at the end of the tragic Greco-Turkish war in Asia Minor, a peace treaty was signed, according to which an “population exchange” took place: the Turks moved to Greece, the Greeks moved to Greece, and nationality was determined solely by religion.

One and a half million Greek Christians from settlements in Asia Minor that existed for many centuries and the Turkic-speaking, but Orthodox population of Anatolia arrived in Greece as refugees. And more than half of this flow settled in Athens, Piraeus and neighboring villages, in one fell swoop changing the face of the capital. The integration of the new settlers and their efforts to survive constituted one of the greatest pages in the history of the city, and this phenomenon itself left deep traces that are visible to this day. The names of the districts located on both sides of the metro line connecting Athens with Piraeus testify to the longing experienced by the new settlers for the forever lost homeland: Nea Zmirni (New Smyrna), Nea Yonia, Nea Philadelphia - similar names are common for city blocks and streets.

At first, these quarters were villages in which immigrants from the same Anatolian town settled, building houses from whatever they had, and it happened that one well or water tap supplied drinking water to two dozen families. The merging of these suburbs with Athens and Piraeus continued until World War II. But the war brought such new worries that all the old ones stepped aside for a while. Athens suffered greatly from the German occupation: in the winter of 1941-1942, according to rough estimates, two thousand people died of starvation every day in the city. And at the end of 1944, when the German occupation ended, the civil war began.

The British soldiers were ordered to fight their recent allies in the Greek Resistance Army EL AS because the army was led by communists. From 1946 to 1949, Athens was an island in the raging sea of ​​war: roads to the north and to the north could only be called passable at a very big stretch. But in the 1950s, after civil war The city began to expand rapidly. A program of powerful investments in industry was implemented - the money was invested mainly by Americans who wanted to convince Greece to enter the US sphere of influence, at the same time the capital survived the influx of immigrants from the impoverished villages devastated by the war.

The wastelands between the blocks began to be built up rapidly, and by the end of the 1960s, Athens had become a major city. Often new buildings look dull. Old buildings were demolished, with particular force the element of destruction raged in 1967-1974, during the junta. Homeowners instead of demolished buildings built multi-apartment residential buildings up to six floors high. The central streets look like canyons - narrow streets seem to be cut between concrete high-rise buildings. A thriving industry took over the outskirts, and the combined efforts of urban planners and industrialists quickly turned Athens into a polluted megalopolis, suffocating from the poisonous fog descending on it, which is called nephos here.

Since the 1990s, in the course of preparations for the Olympics, measures were finally taken to improve the situation in the city. Although Athens is still a long way from or in terms of green spaces and open spaces, the results of the efforts made are already visible. Everything that survived from the urban architectural heritage is being restored, public transport is clean, construction of houses is controlled, new buildings of interesting ultra-modern architecture have appeared (for example, some buildings erected for the Olympics and the unfinished new Acropolis Museum), and the air is not so polluted, like before. It is to be hoped that changes in this direction will continue.

In contact with

Ancient Athens

The archaeological study of Athens began in the 30s of the 19th century, however, excavations became systematic only with the formation in Athens in the 70s-80s of the French, German and English archaeological schools. Literary sources and archaeological material that have survived to this day help to recreate the history of the Athenian policy. The main literary source on the history of Athens during the formation of the state is Aristotle's "Athenian polity" (4th century BC).

The formation of the Athenian state

Theseus fighting the Minotaur

According to the Athenian tradition, the policy arose as a result of the so-called Sinoikism - the unification of isolated tribal communities Attica around the Acropolis of Athens (where there was a fortified settlement and a "palace" in the 16th - 13th centuries BC back in the Mycenaean era). Ancient Greek tradition ascribes the conduct of Sinoikism to the semi-mythical king Theseus, the son of Aegeus (according to tradition, around the 13th century BC; in reality, the process of Sinoikism proceeded over several centuries from the beginning of the 1st millennium BC). Theseus is credited with the introduction of the ancient system of the Athenian community, the division of its population into eupatrides, geomors and demiurges. Gradually, large land plots were concentrated in the hands of the tribal aristocracy (that is, eupatrides), and most of the free population (small landowners) became dependent on it; debt bondage grew. Insolvent debtors were responsible to creditors not only with their property, but also with the personal freedom and freedom of their family members. Debt bondage served as one of the sources of slavery, which was already gaining significant development. Along with slaves and free people in Athens, there was an intermediate layer - the so-called meteki - personally free, but deprived of political and some economic rights. The old division of the demos into phyla, phratries and genera was also preserved. Athens was ruled by nine archons, who were annually elected from among the aristocrats, and the Areopagus - a council of elders, which was replenished by archons who had already served their term of office.

First reforms. Age of Solon

With the growth of property inequality, socio-economic contradictions deepened and the struggle between the tribal aristocracy and the demos intensified, seeking equal rights, redistribution of land, cancellation of debts and abolition of debt bondage. In the middle of the 7th century BC. e aristocrat Cylon made an unsuccessful attempt to seize power. Around 621 BC That is, under Archon Draco, legislative customs were first recorded, which somewhat limited the arbitrariness of aristocratic judges. In 594-593 BC. e. under the pressure of the demos, Solon carried out reforms: they significantly changed the whole system of the socio-political life of Athens, as a result of which debt bondage was destroyed, the sale of citizens for debts into slavery is now prohibited, land debts (which weighed heavily on small farmers) were annulled, freedom of will, which contributed to the development of private property; a new state body was established - the Council of Four Hundred, a number of measures were taken that encouraged craft and trade. Solon is also credited with the division of all citizens by property qualification into 4 categories, belonging to which now began to determine their rights and obligations to the state. Solon also reformed the Attic calendar by introducing the octaetherides system. However, the socio-political struggle did not stop. The reforms were dissatisfied with both the peasants, who had not achieved the redistribution of land, and the tribal nobility, who had lost their former privileged position.

Athenian democracy

The Age of Peisistratus and Cleisthenes

Around 560 BC e. in Athens, a political upheaval took place: the tyranny of Peisistratus was established, who pursued a policy in the interests of the peasantry and the trade and craft layers of the demos against the clan nobility. Under him, Athens achieved great foreign policy successes: they extended their influence to a number of islands in the Aegean Sea, strengthened themselves on both banks of the Hellespont. Athens grew, adorned with new buildings and statues. A water pipe has been built in the city. During the reign of Peisistratus and his sons, the best poets were invited to the court. After the death of Peisistratus in 527 BC. e. power passed to his sons Hippias and Hipparchus, but as in all of Greece, the tyranny in Athens was short-lived: Hipparchus was killed by conspirators, and Hippias was overthrown in 510 BC. e. An attempt by the tribal nobility to seize power caused in 508 BC. e. a revolt of the demos led by Cleisthenes. The victory was secured by reforms: the former 4 tribal phyla were replaced by 10 new ones built on a territorial basis. New governing bodies have been created: the Council of Five Hundred and the College of 10 Strategists. As a result of Cleisthenes' reforms, the last remnants of the tribal system were destroyed, and the process of the formation of the state as an apparatus of domination of the slave-owning class was completed.

Greco-Persian Wars

In the Greco-Persian wars (500-449 BC), Athens played a leading role. They were one of the few Greek policies that supported the uprising of the Ionian cities, won a brilliant victory over the Persians at Marathon (490 BC) (see the Battle of Marathon), and were among the first to enter into a defensive alliance of Greek states. The Battle of Salamis (480 BC), which became a turning point in the course of the war, took place precisely on the initiative of the Athenians and, above all, thanks to them and the strategist Themistocles, ended with the complete defeat of the Persian fleet. No less significant was the role of Athens in 479 BC. e. at the Battle of Plataea and at Cape Mycale. In subsequent years, Athens, who led the Delian Union (soon, in fact, turned into the Athenian maritime power - the Athenian arche), completely took the leadership of military operations into their own hands.

At this time, Athens entered a period of greatest upsurge. Piraeus (the harbor of Athens) became the crossroads of trade routes of many countries of the ancient world. On the basis of developed crafts, trade and navigation, in an atmosphere of intense struggle between the oligarchic (headed by Aristides, then Cimon) and democratic (headed by Themistocles, later Ephialtes and Pericles) groups in Athens, the most progressive for that time state system of the ancient slave-owning democracy - the Athenian democracy , which reached its peak during the reign of Pericles (strategist in 444/443 - 429 BC). The supreme power passed to the People's Assembly, all other bodies were subordinate to them, legal proceedings were carried out in a jury - helie - elected from citizens by lot. For the performance of public duties after the election, a remuneration from the treasury was established, which opened up a real opportunity political activity and to low-income citizens. A theorikon was also established - the issuance of money to citizens to visit the theater. The increased costs of all this were covered by a tax - foros, which the allied cities that were part of the arche had to pay regularly.

Athenian hegemony

In the second half of the 5th century BC. e is the period of the greatest cultural flourishing of Athens - the so-called golden age of Pericles. Outstanding scientists, artists and poets lived and worked in Athens, in particular the historian Herodotus, the philosopher Anaxagoras, the sculptor Phidias, the poets Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripides, the satirist Aristophanes. The political and judicial eloquence of the Athenians was imitated by the orators of all Greek cities. The language of Athenian writers - the Attic dialect - became widespread, became literary language all Hellenes. Huge construction was carried out in Athens: according to the Hippodamus system, Piraeus was rebuilt and connected by the so-called long walls with the city fortifications into a single defensive fortification, the construction of the main structures that made up the ensemble of the Athenian Acropolis, a masterpiece of world architecture, was completed. Temple of the Parthenon (built in 447-438 BC by the architects Iktinos and Kallikrates), statues by Phidias and other works of Athenian visual arts The 5th century served as models for many generations of artists of subsequent centuries.

Peloponnesian War. Under Macedonian rule

Map of Athens at its peak, around 430 BC. e., on the eve of the Peloponnesian War

However, the "golden age" did not last long. The well-being of Athenian citizens was based not only on the exploitation of slaves, but also on the exploitation of the population of the allied cities, which gave rise to constant conflicts within the Athenian arche. These conflicts were exacerbated by the unbridled desire of Athens to expand the scope of its political and economic dominance, which led to clashes with other groups of Greek policies, in which the oligarchic order had an advantage - the Peloponnesian Union, led by Sparta. Ultimately, the contradictions between these groups led to the Peloponnesian War (431-404 BC), which was disastrous for the whole of Greece - the largest war in the history of Ancient Greece. Having suffered a defeat in it, Athens has already forever lost its leading position in Greece. In the first half of the 4th century BC. e. Athens from time to time managed to improve its position and even achieve success. So, during the Corinthian War of 395-387 BC. e Athens, largely on Persian subsidies, managed to revive its fleet and restore the fortifications around the city (pitted under the terms of the surrender of 404 BC). In 378-377 BC. e revived, though in a narrowed form, the Athenian Maritime Union, which did not last long. After the defeat at the Battle of Chaeronea in 338 BC. e. as part of the anti-Macedonian coalition led by the Athenian politician Demosthenes, Athens, like the rest of the Greek policies, had to submit to the hegemony of Macedonia.

Hellenistic era

During the Hellenistic period, when Greece became the arena of struggle between the major Hellenistic states, the position of Athens repeatedly changed. There were brief periods when they managed to achieve relative independence, in other cases Macedonian garrisons were introduced into Athens. In 146 BC e., having shared the fate of all Greece, Athens fell under the rule of Rome; being in the position of an ally city (civitas foederata), they enjoyed only fictitious freedom. In 88 BC e. Athens joined the anti-Roman movement raised by the Pontic king Mithridates VI Eupator. In 86 BC e. The army of Cornelius Sulla took the city by storm and sacked it. Out of respect for the mighty past of Athens, Sulla kept them a fictitious freedom. In 27 BC e. after the formation of the Roman province of Achaia, Athens became part of it. From the 3rd century AD e, when the Balkan Greece began to be subjected to barbarian invasions, Athens fell into complete decline.

Planning and architecture

hills

Areopagus Hill, Modern Athens

• Areopagus, that is, the hill of Ares - west of the Acropolis, gave its name to the highest judicial and government council of Ancient Athens, which held its meetings on the hillside.
• Nympheion, that is, the hill of nymphs, is southwest of the Areopagus.
• Pnyx is a semicircular hill southwest of the Areopagus. It originally hosted ecclesia meetings, which were later moved to the theater of Dionysus.
• Museion, that is, the Hill of Musaeus or Muses, now known as the Hill of Philopappou - south of Pnyx and the Areopagus.
• Hill Acropolis.

Acropolis

Initially, the city occupied only the upper area of ​​the steep hill of the Acropolis, accessible only from the west, which served simultaneously as a fortress, political and religious center, the core of the entire city. According to legend, the Pelasgians leveled the top of the hill, surrounded it with walls and built an outer fortification on the western side with 9 gates located one after another. Inside the castle lived the ancient kings of Attica with their wives. Here stood an ancient temple dedicated to Pallas Athena, along with whom Poseidon and Erechtheus were also revered (hence the temple dedicated to him was called the Erechtheion).

The golden age of Pericles was also a golden age for the Acropolis of Athens. First of all, Pericles instructed the architect Iktin on the site of the old Hecatompedon (Temple of the Chaste Athena) destroyed by the Persians to build a new, more magnificent Temple of Athena the Virgin - Parthenon. Its magnificence was enhanced by the numerous statues with which, under the direction of Phidias, the temple was decorated, both outside and inside. Immediately after the completion of the construction of the Parthenon, which served as the treasury of the gods and for the celebration of the Panathenaic, in 438 BC. e. Pericles commissioned the architect Mnesicles to build a magnificent new gate at the entrance to the acropolis - the Propylaea (437-432 BC). A staircase made of marble slabs, meandering, led along the western slope of the hill to the portico, which consisted of 6 Doric columns, the gaps between which decreased symmetrically on both sides.

Agora

Part of the population, subject to the owners of the fortress (acropolis), eventually settled at the foot of the hill, mainly on its southern and southeastern side. It was here that the oldest sanctuaries of the city were located, in particular those dedicated to Olympian Zeus, Apollo, Dionysus. Then there were settlements on the slopes that stretch west of the Acropolis. The lower city expanded even more when, as a result of the unification of various parts, into which ancient times Attica was divided into one political entity (tradition attributes this to Theseus), Athens became the capital of the united state. Gradually, over the following centuries, the city was also populated from the north side of the Acropolis. Craftsmen mainly settled here, namely members of the respected and numerous class of potters in Athens, therefore, a significant quarter of the city east of the Acropolis was called Keramik (that is, the quarter of potters).

Finally, in the era of Peisistratus and his sons, an altar to 12 gods was built in the southern part of the new Agora (market), which was located at the northwestern foot of the Acropolis. Moreover, from the Agora, the distances of all areas connected by roads with the city were measured. Peisistratus also began construction in the lower city of the colossal Temple of Olympian Zeus to the east of the Acropolis, and on the highest point of the Acropolis hill, the Temple of Athena the Chaste (Hekatompedon).

Gates

Among the main entrance gates of Athens were:

• in the west: Dipylon gate leading from the center of the Keramik district to the Academy. The gates were considered sacred, since the sacred Elefsinsky Way began from them. Knight's Gate were located between the Hill of the Nymphs and the Pnyx. Piraeus gate- between Pnyx and Mouseyon, led to the road between the long walls, which in turn led to Piraeus. The Miletus gates are so named because they led to the Deme Miletus within Athens (not to be confused with the policy of Miletus).
• in the south: the gates of the dead were near the hill Museion. The road to Faliron began from the Itonia Gate on the banks of the Ilissos River.
• in the east: the gate of Diohara led to the Lyceum. The Diomean Gate got its name because it led to the deme Diomei, as well as the hill of Kinosargu.
• in the north: the Acarni gate led to the Deme Akarney.

Districts

Temple of Olympian Zeus, today

• Inner Keramik, or "Potters' Quarter".
• Dem Milet in the western part of the city, south of Inner Keramik.
• Dem Hippias Kolonos - was considered the most aristocratic among all the demes of the policy of Ancient Athens.
• Dem Scambonide in the northern part of the city and east of Inner Keramik.
• Kollitos - the southern district of the city, lay south of the Acropolis.
• Koele is a district in the southwest of the city.
• Limna - the area to the east of the Miletus deme and the Kollitos area, occupied the territory between the Acropolis and the Ilissos river.
• Diomea - an area in the eastern part of the city, next to the Diomei gates and Kinosarg.
• Agra is a region south of Diomei.

Suburb

• Outer Keramik, located northwest of the city, was considered the best suburb of Athens. Athenians who fell in the war were buried here, and at the far end of the district there was an Academy at a distance of 6 stadia from the city.
• Kinosarg was located east of the city, opposite the Ilissos River, bordered on the Diomean Gate and the gymnasium dedicated to Hercules, where the cynic Antisthenes taught.
• Likey - located east of the city. In this area there was a gymnasium dedicated to Apollo Lyceum, famous for the fact that Aristotle taught his students there.

Streets

Among the most important streets of Athens were:

• Piraeus street, which led from the Piraeus gate to the Athenian agora.
• The Panathenaic Way led from the Dipylon Gate through the Agora to the Acropolis of Athens. The Panathenaic way was a solemn procession during the Panathenaic holidays.
• Trinog Street was located east of the Acropolis.

Public buildings

• Temples. Of these, the most importance had Olympeion, or the Temple of Olympian Zeus, located southeast of the Acropolis, near the Ilissos River and the Kalliroe fountain. Other temples of Athens include: Temple of Hephaestus - located to the west of the agora; Temple of Ares - in the north of the agora; The Metroon, or Temple of the Mother of the Gods, is on the western side of the agora. In addition to these main ones, there were many smaller temples in all parts of the city.
• Buleftherion was erected in the western part of the agora.
• Tholos - a rounded building near Buleftherion, built in 470 BC. e Kimon, who was elected to the Council of Five Hundred. In Tholos, the members of the council ate and also performed sacrifices.

Panathinaikos Stadium, modern view

• Stoas - open colonnades, used by the Athenians as a place of rest at the height of the day, there were several of them in Athens.
• Theatres. The very first theater in Athens was the theater of Dionysus on the southeastern slope of the Acropolis, for a long time it remained the largest theater in the Athenian state. In addition, there was an Odeon to participate in vocal competitions and perform instrumental music.
• The Panathinaikos Stadium was located on the banks of the Ilissos River in the Agra region and hosted the sporting events of the Panathenaic Celebrations. The Panathinaikos Stadium hosted the first modern Olympic Games in 1896.

Sources

• Buzeskul V.P., Aristotle's Athenian polity as a source for the history of the political system of Athens until the end of the 5th century, Har., 1995;
• Zhebeleva S. A., From the history of Athens (229-31 BC), St. Petersburg. 1898;
• Kolobova K. M., The ancient city of Athens and its monuments, L., 1961;
• Zelyin K.K., The struggle of political factions in Attica in the VI century. BC e., M., 1964;
• Dovatur A., Politics and polities of Aristotle, M.-L., 1965;
• Ferguson W.S., Hellenistic Athens, L., 1911;
• Day J., An economic history of Athens under Roman domination, N. Y., 1942.

Ancient Greece in themes - Portal:Greece Story Ancient Greeks Geography rulers Policy Wars Economics and law

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. The policy remained the most important center ancient times up to the rise of the Roman Empire.

In the third century AD, Athens loses former greatness and become 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 number of permanent residents 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 commuter 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 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 talk about the most interesting places 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). Another kind of Ancient Hellas not found 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 rooms 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.

Metro

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. Has survived to this day ancient culture: Acropolis and its many temples. There are also many Orthodox churches in Athens: Cathedral of the Annunciation Holy Mother of God, Monastery of Daphne, Church of St. George. There are also Muslim monuments in the city. A striking example is the Tsisdaraki Mosque.

Excursions

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 presentation will be products self made ceramic or textile. 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 need 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 remain silent about the shortcomings of the metropolis: crowded, ecological 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

Ancient Greek Athens It is a majestic and revered city. It had a huge number of inhabitants. The area has excellent architecture. Athens is also the center of the arts and culture of the Greeks. The main city of Attica is not located on the seashore, as was customary since ancient times, but a few kilometers from the body of water. The settlement was founded around a large hill, on top of which, in a picturesque area, stood a fortress of unprecedented beauty - the Acropolis.

foundation of the foundations

Legend has it that the city was named after the warrior maiden Athena. She was the goddess of wisdom, patronized the arts and crafts, all kinds of sciences, but at the same time she was a great supporter of battles and battles.
The city was born so long ago that history hides the true date from contemporaries. There is evidence that Athens existed during the Mycenean era and even long before it. Athens was sung in his teachings by Plato and his associates.
Athens, like other cities in Greece, was a polis. This city-state reached its peak in the 9th century BC. During this period, Athens was no longer ruled by kings, but by tyrants. But the inhabitants did not see anything wrong with the definition of this name. Translated from the Greek "Tyranos" - the ruler. However, at first everything was perfect, but over the years, the rulers began to take away the most valuable things from people. The population was periodically looted. Since then, the word "tyrant" has become almost a dirty word. By him was meant a cruel ruler.
The inhabitants tolerated tyrants because they enjoyed the patronage of the nobility and high council elders (areopagus).
First population
It is believed that at first Athens was inhabited by some Pelasgians, and the first king, according to mythology, was Kekrops. This time is dated 2-3 millennia BC. Later, the Ionians arrived in Athens. By the way, according to legend, the majestic Athena gave the inhabitants of the city an olive tree much later than the moment when the policy began to flourish. So she won honor and recognition. After all, the olive is a symbol of wealth, life. The goddess bypassed Poseidon in the rivalry, who wanted to give the inhabitants of Athens water in order to win their honor and respect and become a recognized ruler. Olive meant more.
Mines flourished in the city, where slaves mined silver, tin and a number of other minerals. Iron deposits were also found not far from the city. Without thinking twice, the Athenians set up enterprises for the extraction of useful metal.
Athens was famous for its ceramic dishes, olive oil, various varieties of honey, and wines. In Athens, marble was mined and processed. All this contributed to the enormous flourishing of trade and crafts. Athens prospered and gained economic bonuses. Here people aspired to whole families, founding and building their homes. So the city grew more and more.

Noteworthy is the reign of Draco. On his behalf, the concept of "Draconian laws" came into modernity. This cruel ruler has established a very dangerous order. According to them, the inhabitants were punished by death even for the most minor offenses. For example, they could take their lives for stealing bulbs.
In ancient times, property inequality reigned in Athens. But in the 6th century BC. this was put an end to. It is all to blame for the growing clashes between the nobility and ordinary poor people. The bloody unrest was suppressed by the election of the archon, who, in the end, thanks to his quick wits, brought general order. Solon abolished the draconian order and began to build a beautiful society, reforming the main areas of Athenian life.

Estates of Athens

According to historians, Solon developed a series of laws, according to which residents received freedom in terms of inheriting property. Benefits were enjoyed by ordinary hard workers - artisans and merchants. Citizens were divided into 4 classes, which depended on their financial situation. All people, regardless of position in society, received equal rights. Any, even not very important, policy issues were decided by the opinion of the majority and only after general discussions.
Solon always defended only the highest stratum - the aristocracy, in the ranks of which there were well-to-do peasants. Under him, only the wealthy held public office. However, at the same time, the poor classes could also decide fate. So, in the 500s BC, some commoners Aristogeiton and Harmodius killed the ruling tyrant, who repaired complete arbitrariness and did not give a normal life to people.
Despite this, the nobility always found an opportunity to unite and lead people in the way that was necessary for her. They rigged votes at meetings of the people, made big bribes, used the services of demagogues (dubious people's leaders).
The flourishing concerned external relations. Athens owned the port of Piraeus. It was the center of trade in the Mediterranean. The policy began to dominate the Maritime Union, which included at least 200 policies. Athens owned a common treasury, which greatly raised the authority of the Athenians.

Great War

In the 400s. BC. Athens was attacked by the Spartans. This epic is called the Peloponnesian War. It lasted for about 30 years. In the history of Athens and Ancient Greece it was one of the most significant and bloody battles. As a result, the maritime union of Athens could no longer be called a community, and in the city, as a result of a coup, a group of rulers in the amount of 30 tyrants took power. The National Assembly failed.
Athens capitulated to Sparta. The protracted war weakened not only this largest city of Greece, but also most of the policies. In the same period, a major external enemy appeared on the arena - Macedonia. The ruler of this country systematically approached Athens. As a result, city-states decided to unite. Thus the union was formed:

• 1. Thebes.
• 2. Magar.
• 3. Corinth.
• 4. Athens.

The battle of the coalition of the Greeks was defeated. After all, the Athenian nobility, in the majority, fawned over Macedonia. Thus began the era of Hellenism in Greece. During this period, the Macedonians took over. They gave freedom to the population only formally. However, the Athenians resisted, thanks to their ancient history. For example, the Roman Lucius pardoned Athens only because they have such a rich history. The people were given freedom.

decline

Athens began to gradually decline by the 3rd century BC. The Peloponnesian War completely ruined Greece. Scientists argue that the collapse of Hellenism eventually occurred. On the one hand internecine wars, on the other - the advancing Romans. Already at the beginning of our era, the city was not only captured, but also catastrophically plundered by the warriors of Silla. This Roman brought a huge army to Athens, and there was not a single chance left for the victory of the inhabitants of the besieged policy.

Roman domination continued until the 3rd century. At the same time, Athens did not lose its high position in Greece until the German Heruli warriors came and destroyed everything almost to the ground. Only cultural values ​​have been preserved, some institutions, for example, schools. By the way, this time gave the world the most famous Roman emperor Julian, who was just studying at one of the Athenian schools. However, he also closed these schools.
The center of Hellenism "left" to Macedonia, Athens quickly fell into decay. The unfortunately rich city has become more like a periphery, a small village. Population in 500 years. new era was only 20 thousand people.
The subsequent history of Athens is far from rosy, but rather sad. The city was besieged and robbed many times. The Acropolis, which was an unsurpassed palace, lost its grandeur. In the middle of the 15th century, the Turks entered Athens. And they, in turn, had to defend the city from the raid of the Venetians. During that period, a significant architectural monument, the Parthenon, was badly damaged. He practically fell under the shelling of the Venetian guns.
Revival of the capital
Athens became the capital of the state in the early 19th century. Then the city was more like a provincial village, but free from the Ottoman yoke. King Otto, who ruled in those years, ordered to revive the once beautiful city. Intensive construction began. The design of the architect Leo von Klense was taken as a basis.
Even more quarters appeared at the beginning of the 20th century. Refugees from the territories of Asia Minor came to the city. World War II brought new troubles to Athens. The city was occupied by the Nazis. But with the victory over the Nazis, prosperity and a new revival came to Athens.
Now Athens - the largest metropolis of Greece - the capital of the Olympic Games. They have been held here again since the end of the 19th century. The millennial glory of this city is not forgotten even now. Even in the 20th century, the city was still shaken by political upheavals, but cultural activity did not stop. In 1981, Greece joined the European Union, which gave the country and, of course, its capital, huge privileges as an investment.
So, Athens to this day remains the cherished dream of those tourists who have not yet had a chance to visit the capital of Greece. Majestic architecture, cultures, traditions, wonderful history. All this is preserved in numerous museums of antiquity.

The charming town of Sitia

Holidays in Greece

Olympics in ancient Greece and today

"Citius, Altius, Fortius" is the motto of the Olympic Games, which means "Faster, Higher, Stronger" in Latin. It is this spirit of fair competition that has long drawn attention to sports games that have won the love of people from all over the world. Fighting in sports instead of wars is the advantage of sports competitions. The Olympic Games originated in ancient Greece as early as the eighth century BC. Of course, those competitions in their form were significantly different from modern ones, but the spirit of sports rivalry remained exactly the same.

Marathon.From myths to reality

As in all history ancient world, the facts regarding the legend of Marathon are not easy to understand. Herodotus mentions a battle when the Greeks and their brave allies, the Plataeans, defeated the superior forces of the Persians. In the Greek army there was a runner, Philippides (or Pheidippides), who ran from Athens to Sparta to bring the Spartans to the aid. It is believed that he traveled approximately 245 kilometers in 48 hours. The modern Spartathlon recorded for the same distance a record running time of 20 hours and 25 minutes, which was achieved by the Greek runner Janis Kouros in 1984.

Greek islands. Delos Island (Delos)

Delos is separated from Mykonos by a narrow strait about three kilometers wide. In ancient times, it was called Delos, and this phonetic variant has been preserved in modern Western European languages. Delos is about half an hour by boat from the port of Mykonos. This is the easiest way to get to the "sacred island".

Athens from A to Z: map, hotels, attractions, restaurants, entertainment. Shopping, shops. Photos, videos and reviews about Athens.

• Tours for May to Greece
• Hot tours to Greece

Athens is not just a capital city. It was here that classical Greece was born, and hence Western civilization in general. The first prehistoric settlement arose here around 3000 BC. e. For many centuries, everything happened to Athens, including periods of decline. It is hard to imagine, but in the 1830s, when the city began to revive after the Ottoman oppression as the capital of independent Greece, Athens was just a small provincial village.

Athens includes the Old City, the central districts, the suburbs, and the port of Piraeus. Two hills rise in the center: the hill of the Acropolis with the Parthenon and ancient temples and the hill of Lycabettus (Lycabettus) with the picturesque church of St. George on top.

In Athens, you can spend a month exploring in detail all the ancient monuments and ruins, charming neoclassical buildings in the historic center and museums. But if you really decide to do this, keep in mind that even in the very center of the city there are places where you should not go idle. Seriously: the Omonia quarter, filled with immigrants, is better to bypass even in the bright light of day.

How to get to Athens

Transport links connect Athens with Moscow and St. Petersburg. Residents of other regions need to plan a route taking into account a transfer in one of the capitals. Muscovites have two options - plane and bus. In terms of cost, they almost do not differ, but the time spent when traveling by air is much less. Even choosing the cheapest connecting flight, you can cut them in half.

Search for flights to Athens

Districts of Athens

The Greek capital is divided into 7 districts and several dozen quarters and districts. Some of them are interesting from a tourist point of view, others are not remarkable at all, and there are some where it is better not to go at all without special need. Among them is one of the central quarters of Omonia, inhabited by emigrants. It can be unsafe here even during the day.

The most popular area among the guests of the city is the Acropolis. This is a historical center, and it is here that the monuments of ancient Greek architecture are located - directly the Acropolis itself, on the territory of which there are the ancient theater of Deonis and the Odeon of Herodes Atticus, where concerts, performances and other cultural events are held to this day.

Another famous area of ​​Athens is Plaka. There are several interesting museums here, among which the most notable are the Children's and the Museum of Folk Musical Instruments, as well as the chapel with the poetic name Tower of the Winds and the Metropoli Cathedral. In addition, most tourists stop in Plaka. There are hotels of different price categories, although there are few budget options (20-30 EUR per night). Travelers are attracted by the proximity of the main attractions and the abundance of souvenir shops and shops.

Souvenirs and antiques as a keepsake of the trip can be bought at the market in the Monastiraki area. Also here is an ancient mosque and the temple of the Blessed Virgin Mary. There are several inexpensive hotels in this part of the city (from 20 EUR per night), but in most hotels prices start from 100 EUR per night.

Those who want to look at the city from a height of 200 m should go to the Kolonaki area. You can climb Mount Lycabettus on foot or by funicular. There are many 24-hour entertainment establishments in this quarter, so if you want to get acquainted with the nightlife of the Greek capital, you should look for accommodation here. True, it will cost a lot, because Kolonaki is the most expensive area of ​​​​Athens.

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Transport

Athens public transport system includes metro, trams and buses. The metro operates from 5:00 to midnight and is very convenient for movement: only three lines (it is impossible to get lost), an easy fare (1.40 EUR) and extremely interesting museum stations stuffed with antiquities found during the laying of lines. In the metro, it is strictly forbidden to litter, drink and eat, not to mention scratching something on the wall. Three tram lines link the center of Athens with the southern parts of the city. Trams are convenient to use for trips to the coast. Night buses are indispensable when returning from "hot spots" long after midnight.

Public transport tickets worth EUR 1.40 are valid for 90 minutes with no change restrictions. There are also travel cards for 24 hours (4.50 EUR) and 5 days (9 EUR). They are used on all types of transport - buses, trolleybuses, metro and trains. The exception is routes to the airport and the Express X80 line. The fare for them is 4.50 EUR.

There is a special pass for tourists. It costs 22 EUR, includes travel from the airport to the center and back, as well as unlimited travel on all modes of transport for 3 days.

Athens yellow taxis charge EUR 1.20 per landing and EUR 0.60 per km during the day (EUR 1.20 at night). The minimum fare is 3.10 EUR. When landing, be sure to make sure that the driver turns on the meter.

There are more than 70 municipal bicycle rental points near the main attractions, metro stations, parks and squares. The fee (5 EUR) is taken immediately for the whole day of rent, there is no hourly rate. To use transport, you need to buy a plastic card at a kiosk, metro ticket office or cafe and use it to unlock the rack to which the bike is fastened.

Rent a Car

Eternal Athens. A city that impresses with its age and abundance of attractions. A city to be explored on foot. But the abundance of ancient monuments that lurk beyond its borders is simply impossible to see without a car. So car rental in Athens is deservedly popular and in demand, which is not surprising, given the low cost of this service. The market has local (Morphis, Imperial Car Rental) and international companies(Avis, Hertz). An economy class car in the Greek capital will cost only 25-30 EUR per day. And given the Athenian parking lots, it is precisely these “compact cars” that are worth taking.

Communication and Wi-Fi

Arriving in Athens, it is better to immediately take care of always being in touch. Of course, you can not change your SIM card and use services while roaming, but if you have to talk a lot on the phone, calls can cost a pretty penny. In this case, a SIM card from one of the local operators is the best option to save money. You can buy it right at the airport, as well as in the salons and company stores of the city. In total, there are 3 cellular companies in Greece - Vodafone, Wind and Cosmote. Each of them has special offers for tourists - prepaid tariffs with favorable prices for calls abroad. The most interesting for Russians are Frog (Costome) and Q (Wind).

When buying any SIM card in Greece, you need to have an identity document with you.

Points of free wireless access to the Internet in Athens are found everywhere. Along with the usual hotels, cafes and restaurants, Wi-Fi is available in many areas, including main square Syntagma, as well as in the metro, trams, the port of Piraeus and other points of the city.

Athens Spotlighted

The main difference between Athens City Pass Athens Spotlighted and tourist maps other popular destinations - in its cost, more precisely - in its absence. In some cities, the CityCard price can reach up to 200 EUR for 3 days. In Athens, the card is issued to everyone completely free of charge and is valid for 10 days. You can pick up Athens Spotlighted at Eleftherios Venizelos Airport (baggage claim and information desk).

The benefits of using the Athens tourist card may not be as great as its paid counterparts. However, it will help you save a lot on vacation. Its owner receives a 50% discount on entrance tickets to the most interesting museums and other cultural institutions of the city. Among them are the National Art Gallery of Athens, the Benaki Museum, the Frissiras Museum, the Automobile Museum and many others. In addition, you can visit performances, concerts and other events of the National Theater of Greece and the National Opera with a discount of 15 to 20%. More than 15 cafes and restaurants will reduce the bill by 20% upon presentation of the Athens Spotlighted. The same promotion is valid in several dozen grocery, souvenir shops, as well as in clothing, footwear and accessories stores. Read more about the companies participating in the program at the office. website.

Athens Hotels

The peak tourist season in Athens is July-August. At this time, it is not easy to find a hotel room, and prices skyrocket. It is better to take care of housing in advance - the chance to catch a good option for normal money will be higher. Budget housing is presented not big amount hostels and hotels 2 *. Prices are about the same - 20–50 EUR per room. No frills, just the essentials.

Slightly better service in three-star hotels. Although they are also more suitable for those who come to the hotel only to sleep. Sometimes breakfast is included in the price, most often a buffet. A room will cost 50–100 EUR per night, depending on the area.

Those who want to live in the center by all means should pay attention to the areas of Plaka and Monastiraki. There are several inexpensive hostels and hotels.

The elite number of rooms is represented by 4 and 5 * hotels. The level of service differs slightly, but the price range is quite large. If a room in the first one costs from 70 to 150 EUR, then in the most luxurious hotels in the city prices reach up to 400 EUR per night.

shopping

Athens is a large modern metropolis. Old antique gizmos here coexist perfectly next to the products of the most fashionable designers and quite democratic brands of clothes, shoes and accessories.

For clothes and shoes of well-known, but inexpensive brands, you should go to Ermou Street - the largest shopping street in the Greek capital. From the middle to the very end, Zara, Morgan, Benneton, Marks & Spencer and others are crowded on both sides. More expensive luxury brands are presented at the beginning. The most luxurious shopping areas are Kolonaki, Kifisia and Glyfada. Going to one of them, get ready to part with a large amount.

At affordable prices, you can shop on the street. Patission (clothes, shoes and accessories), in the Plaka area ( Jewelry, souvenirs and antiques) and st. Monastiraki (handmade clothes and shoes, accessories, traditional tools). The latter has a flea market every Sunday. Among the heaps of useless trinkets there are interesting and original gizmos, including inexpensive Greek souvenirs - ceramics, bed sheets, carpets, copies of museum exhibits and busts of ancient Greek thinkers.

For economical shopaholics, it is better to plan a vacation for the second half of summer. From mid-July to the end of August, sales are held in Athens, prices drop by 50-80%. However, even at this time, the famous Greek furs cost a lot here, it is better to go to other parts of the country for a fur coat.

Cuisine and restaurants of Athens

The national cuisine of Greece is traditionally associated with a large number of vegetables and seafood, olives, soft feta cheese and a variety of herbs and spices. In any institution in Athens, you can find dishes such as “tiropeta” (cheese cake), “moussaka” (a layered dish of eggplant, potatoes and minced meat), “dolmatesdolma” (stuffed cabbage rolls in grape leaves), “tzatziki” (thick sauce made from fresh cucumber, yogurt and garlic) and, of course, grilled squid, fish, shrimp and octopus.

Olive oil and olive oil are often used to season traditional Greek dishes. lemon juice, shading the taste of fish and seafood.

Where do you go to try it all? It all depends on the budget. For those who are planning on spending 100 EUR per dinner per person, there are several authentic Michelin-starred restaurants in the capital. Luxurious interiors and gourmet dishes that look more like works of art, and the taste is beyond praise.

However, the city is full of establishments with much more affordable prices for the average tourist. In coastal taverns and small restaurants in the city center, you can taste traditional Greek cuisine, paying no more than 50 EUR for lunch for two, and if you go to the outskirts or to the Plaka area, this amount will decrease to 30 EUR.

For those who do not want to spend more than 5–15 EUR on lunch, Athens has inexpensive eateries and cafes “tiropitadiko”. The former serve kebabs with pita and lemon, the visiting card of the latter is puff pies with cheese, spinach and other toppings.

The best photos of Athens

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The Odeone of Herodes Atticus still hosts classical music concerts and theatrical performances.

You can get into the auditorium of the ancient theater only during events by purchasing a ticket.

Footprints ancient civilization can be found not only on the hill of the Acropolis. At its foot, on the former market square of the capital of Hellas, rises the temple of Hephaestus, the god of fire. This building is located on Agora Square, and, despite its impressive age, it has been well preserved.

The most popular area among tourists after the Acropolis is the old town of Plaka. The central part of Athens is limited by a triangle formed by the squares of Omonia (Concord Square), Syntagma (Constitution Square) and Monastiraki. On Constitution Square, the majestic Parliament building with a guard of honor at the tomb of the unknown Soldier attracts attention. To the right of the Parliament building is the luxurious royal park "Zappio", behind which are the ruins of the temple of Olympian Zeus and the famous Arch of Hadrian.

The Byzantine Museum - the best collection of icons and mosaics in Europe, the Benaki Museum is famous for its rich collection of ancient Greek and Byzantine art, as well as displays of Chinese porcelain, oriental jewelry and weapons. Not far from it is the National Art Gallery - a two-story building that displays the work of Greek artists from the 14th century to the present day.

No vacation is enough to see all the expositions of the Athenian museums. We advise you to study the information in advance and choose the most interesting for yourself.

The Archaeological Museum of the Athenian Agora, located in the northeastern part of the city, is interesting because most of its exhibits are associated with the oldest Athenian democracy in the world. In particular, it is here that ostraki are stored - clay shards that the Athenians used to vote. At the Natural History Museum of Goulandris, you can get acquainted with Greek flora and fauna. The exposition presents rare endangered species of plants.

To get to know the country and its inhabitants from a different, musical side, head to the Museum of Greek Folk Musical Instruments. The collection contains more than 1200 exhibits, the oldest of which dates back to the 18th century. Only half of them are exhibited in the halls, but there is an opportunity to hear the sound of each.

5 things to do in Athens

1. Feel like an ancient Greek, walking from one ancient temple of the Acropolis to another.
2. Feel the contrast of antiquity and modernity, going straight from the Temple of Hephaestus to a trendy restaurant.
3. Try real olives and feta cheese.
4. Climb Lycabettus on foot.
5. Go to a performance in an ancient theatre.

Athens for kids

Even in such a monumental and majestic ancient city like Athens, there is a place of childish spontaneity and curiosity. The first thing to do is to visit the Children's Museum located in the city center. Thematic classes and master classes are regularly held here - culinary, creative, theatrical, as well as games for the development of logic and attention. The exhibition presents works by young artists from 4 to 12 years old, after viewing which you can visit your grandparents (a separate room where the interior and atmosphere of an old Greek house are recreated) or the library.

For fun, head to Allou Fun Park, the best amusement park in Greece. On a solid square there are attractions for the whole family - from small carousels for kids to extreme roller coasters and a large Ferris wheel.

It is better to spend the second half of the day on a trip to the park - it is closed in the morning.

When everything has already been studied in the center of Athens, you can visit the suburbs. In the northwest, not far from the coast, is the water park Copa Copana (off. site in English. mouth

September

October

november

December

People go to Athens not only for a beach holiday, the tourist season here does not stop all year round. The climate of Greece is classic continental, so snow rarely falls. In winter, heavy showers are possible, but infrequently, this time is great for sightseeing tours.

In April, it is already warm here, but you can’t swim yet. There are not many people, you can safely walk and take pictures. The swimming season starts in June and lasts until mid-October. The peak of tourist activity falls on three summer months. At the same time, daytime temperatures, along with housing prices, soar. For those who do not tolerate the heat, there is a velvet season that starts in mid-September. The weather is comfortable, and the beaches become much freer.