Athens (Great Cities)

An ancient city that is among the best-known and most-visited in our own time, the capital of Greece contains much that is fascinating, including many archaeological treasures. Myth has it that King Cecrops was casting round for a name to call his new city, and Poseidon and Athena took it upon themselves to compete for the honour of having it named after them. The goddess finally won by inventing the olive tree on its behalf, which soon became a symbol of peace and prosperity.

Athens is today best known for its outstanding monuments, notably the temples and other buildings on the Acropolis, of which the most famous is the Parthenon, currently in a state of sad disrepair. Nonetheless, Athens remains a city both picturesque and dynamic. One third of the entire population of the country lives there, while its port, Piraeus, is the location for half of all Greek industrial enterprises. So, once you have made a full survey of the temples, why not go round the fleamarkets or walk to the centre of the old popular quarter which is now occupied by people selling spices and dried fruit?

With the help of the plentiful illustrations in this book, author Klaus H. Carl invites you to discover (or indeed rediscover) this city of contrasts -- a city located solidly between mythology and the Mediterranean Sea.