Athens

Athens (Greek: ?????, Athína; IPA {{IPA|/a'?ina/}}) is the capital of Greece, and of the Attica prefecture of Greece. Modern Athens is a large and cosmopolitan city; Ancient Athens was a powerful city-state and renowned center of learning. It is named after its patron goddess, Athena. Athens is located at 38° North, 23°43'34.5" East (38.000000, 23.726194).

Related Topics:
Greek - IPA - Capital - Greece - Attica - City-state - Goddess - Athena

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In ancient Greek, the name of Athens was {{Polytonic|Ἀ?ῆ???}}-Ath?nai, plural of {{Polytonic|Ἀ????}}-Ath?n?, the Greek name of the goddess Athena. The city's name was used in the plural like those of {{Polytonic|?ῆ???}}-Th?bai (Thebes) and {{Polytonic|???ῆ???}}-Myk?nai (Mycenae) because it consisted of several parts. In the 19th century, this name was formally re-adopted as the city's name. Since the official abandonment of Katharevousa Greek in the 1970s, however, the popular form Athína has become the city's official name. See also a list of alternative names for Athens.

Related Topics:
Ancient - Greek - Athena - Thebes - Mycenae - 19th century - Katharevousa - 1970s - Alternative names

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The metropolitan area of Athens is home to some 5 million people. Currently the city (metropolitan area) is growing eastwards across Attica (Greater Athens).

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