Tales from Greek Mythology

Athens: How It Got Its Name

The name of Athens is derived from the name of the Goddess Athena, who is regarded by the people of Athens as the patroness of the city. There is a charming story in Greek Mythology about the origin of the city's name.

Many of the gods of Olympus were enamored of the piece of land that later became the city of Athens, and all the gods wanted to name the city after their own names. Their contention reached such a pitch as to end in a bloody fight. The dispute reached the ears of the chief of the gods, Zeus, who decided to resolve the issue. He decreed that whoever would do the most beneficent thing for the city would have the city named after him or her. Zeus also appointed the first king of the city, the half-man, half-snake, Cecrops, to be the arbitrator of the dispute.

The gods competed spiritedly to be the greatest benefactor to the city. But only two of them reached the final round: Poseidon, the god of the sea, horses, and earthquakes; and Athena, the goddess of wisdom and heroic endeavor. Poseidon was the brother of Zeus and the uncle of Athena who, having issued from the head of Zeus was his daughter.

Poseidon was the first in the fray. He struck the earth with his trident which caused a spring of water to gush forth from the ground. This signified that he was offering the citizens of the city success in war at sea as well as on land. However, the people were not exactly enchanted with this "gift," as the water from the spring tasted salty, just as the waters of the sea over which Poseidon presided.

Next contender was the goddess Athena. She planted a seed in the ground, which sprouted forth to become a lovely olive tree. This signified to the citizens that Athena was giving them the gift of peace and wisdom, as well as food (olives), oil, and firewood. With one voice they loudly acclaimed Athena as their benefactress and patroness. This is how the goddess Athena got the everlasting honor of naming the city after her. When in later times money was invented in Athens, the people embossed the picture of Athena on one side of the coin, drachma, and on the other side, the picture of an owl, a bird associated with the goddess.