The city of Athens shares the same name with the goddess of ancient Greeks Athena which was the goddess of wisdom. There was a debate in antiquity whether the city gave the name to the goddess or the goddess gave the name to the city but today scholars agree that the city gave the name to the goddess. According to an ancient myth, before the city of Athens have been named yet, the goddess Athena and the god Poseidon, the god of the seas, compete over who will be the protector of the city. Both gods agreed that whoever gifts the citizens of the unnamed city with the best gift, will win and will become their patron. Poseidon gave Athenians the first horse and Athena gave them the first domesticated olive tree. The olive tree was considered the best gift and Athena became the protector of the city.
Photo taken at Temple of Olympian Zeus, Athens
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