Athens

The origin of Athens is estimated to be around the 3rd millennium BC. A royal castle (on the Acropolis) was built here around 1400 BC.

The first written record dates from around 800 B.C. The state at that time was led by the nobility, but the common people gradually gained more rights and freedoms with the possibility of co-determination. An interesting figure in the history of Athens was Draco, who in 621 BC produced a collection of laws that were very harsh and gradually came to be known as 'draconian'. For example, the penalty for stealing grain was death. Citizen participation in the judiciary came into effect in 593 BC when Solon's constitution was introduced. The population was divided according to the size of their property into four classes, all of which could participate in elections. Only members of the first two classes could be elected to office. The authorities were supplemented by a council of 500 members, which already included, for example, craftsmen.

In 547 BC the government of the individual (tyranis) was established, headed by Peisistratos. During his reign, Athens experienced great growth. Among other things, he began to build a temple on the Acropolis, dedicated to the protective goddess Athena. Later, this temple was rebuilt by Pericles and the Panthenon was created.

Under Pericles, Athens in turn reached the height of democracy. During this time, important figures such as Socrates, Sophocles, Aeschylus and Euripides also lived here. In 429 BC (after the death of Pericles), the Peloponnesian War broke out between Sparta and Athens, from which Sparta emerged victorious. In the following years Athens continues to be an important city, but no longer in the field of politics.

When the Romans conquered Greece in 146 BC, Athens was spared. Instead, they contributed to the development of Athens and the city began to grow again. In 395, Athens and all of Greece became part of the Eastern Roman Empire (Byzantine Empire). The ancient history of Athens ends sometime in the 6th century AD.