THE CONTEST FOR ATHENS IN GREEK MYTHOLOGY
Or How Athens Got its Name
In Greek mythology, a tale is told about the Contest for Athens, a contest between Athena and Poseidon about which god would be worshipped in the city. This contest was one which would be depicted upon the pediment on the Temple of Athena, on the Acropolis.
The City of Cecrops
|
When the world was newly inhabited by men, cities began to be built over all of Ancient Greece. Once such city was the city of Cecrops, Cecropia.
Cecrops was the half-serpent son of Gaia who had married Agraulos, the daughter of the first king of Attica, Actaeus. Actaeus had then given his son-in-law land on which Cecrops had built a city. |
|
The Contest for Athens
Sacrifices were important to the Greek gods, and both Athena and Poseidon sought the worship of the growing population of Cecrops city. Neither of the two gods would yield, and eventually Zeus commanded a contest would be held, to prevent the two from fighting each other.
Athena and Poseidon would each present a gift to the city, and the gift that Cecrops declared the best, would be given the city.
On the day of the Contest for Athens, the population of the Cecrops’ city ascended the Acropolis, literally the highest point of the city.
Athena and Poseidon would each present a gift to the city, and the gift that Cecrops declared the best, would be given the city.
On the day of the Contest for Athens, the population of the Cecrops’ city ascended the Acropolis, literally the highest point of the city.
The Gift of Poseidon
Poseidon was the first of the two gods to present his gift, and he did so by planting his trident into the ground. Where the ground was pierced a spring gushed forth.
Poseidon though was the Greek God of the Sea, and when Cecrops drank of the spring, he found that the water was saltwater, and of no use to the people of his city.
Some say that Poseidon would have not have offered up a useless gift, and instead was using it as a symbol that the city would forever have military success.
Poseidon though was the Greek God of the Sea, and when Cecrops drank of the spring, he found that the water was saltwater, and of no use to the people of his city.
Some say that Poseidon would have not have offered up a useless gift, and instead was using it as a symbol that the city would forever have military success.
The Gift of Athena
Next it was Athena’s chance to offer up her gift. The goddess sowed a seed into the ground, and from the soil emerged an olive tree.
The symbolism of the olive tree has been argued to mean peace and wisdom, but the olive tree also had numerous practical applications, for it was nourishment, a producer of oil for lamps, and wood for construction.
The symbolism of the olive tree has been argued to mean peace and wisdom, but the olive tree also had numerous practical applications, for it was nourishment, a producer of oil for lamps, and wood for construction.
The Decision of Cecrops
|
So, when Cecrops came to make his judgement, the king’s decision was simple, for the practical attributes of Athena’s gift was far superior to that of Poseidon’s.
Poseidon of course did not take the decision well, and the Thriasian Plain, and parts of Attica, were flooded by the god. Later writers, also told of Poseidon causing reoccurring summer droughts for the city. Zeus would have to stay the hand of Poseidon to prevent further destruction. |
|
The Naming of Athens
Athena would become the patron goddess of the city, and in her honour, the city was renamed as Athens, and the goddess was said to have protected the city from then on.
The name of Cecrops though, lived on, for the Acropolis of Athens would be known as Cecropia for generations.
The name of Cecrops though, lived on, for the Acropolis of Athens would be known as Cecropia for generations.
|
|
Colin Quartermain - Contest for Athens - 4th October 2025