The Entire History of Athens

According to legend, Athens was named after the goddess Athena, who won a contest against Poseidon by gifting the city an olive tree. Archaeological evidence suggests human habitation in the area as early as 5000 BCE. By the Bronze Age (circa 1600–1100 BCE), Athens was a Mycenaean stronghold, ruled by kings such as Theseus, the mythical unifier of Attica. Unlike other Mycenaean cities, Athens survived the Late Bronze Age collapse and continued as a cultural center during the Greek Dark Ages (1100–800 BCE).