Athens is a city of immense cultural and historical importance. It is the birthplace of democracy, and has a recorded history that dates back over 3,000 years. The city is home to some of the most impressive ancient monuments in Europe, such as the Parthenon and Temple of Olympian Zeus.
Athens was founded in the early 9th century BC, and for centuries afterwards was one of the most important cities of the ancient world. It became a major trading hub, and its influence stretched far beyond Greece to encompass much of the Mediterranean. The city was also an important centre for learning, with renowned philosophers like Socrates, Plato and Aristotle all having studied here at some point.
Athens is important to the arts because of its association with the Greek classics. Its theaters, galleries, and museums showcase the work of Classical authors such as Sophocles and Euripides, while sculptures like the Niki de Saint Phalle’s ‘The Inverted Collosal’ are found around the city.
