Naming of Athens (copy)

video summary

https://stmaryscambridge.sharepoint.com/✌/r/sites/Year10ClassicalCivilisation2023/Shared%20Documents/General/Myth%20and%20Religion/04.%20Foundation%20myths/Greece/WIN_20231121_11_26_12_Pro.mp4?csf=1&web=1&e=ghD9C7

When King Cecrops founded Attica he needed to find a God to lay their Patronage (provision of help and support) on it. As he worshipped both Athena and Poseidon, both came to him to claim it for their own.

To decide who was to become the patron they had a contest:

Poseidon gift: sea water (its salt content made it largely unusable)

Athena gift: Olive tree (Olives were central in Greek’s way of life both food and oil

Athena was judged the victor and she named the city after herself

BONUS: This contest can be viewed on the Parthenon’s west pediment!