Athens, the capital of Greece, is famous for its art and architecture, prominent thinkers, the Acropolis, the original Olympic Games and democracy. The ancient city-state of Athens derived its name from the Greek goddess of wisdom, Athena, who the people considered the patron of the city.
The ancient Athenians were renowned for being master artisans and craftsmen who fashioned various works of art in pottery, sculpture and jewelry-making. The Acropolis remains as one of the city's architectural marvels and the cultural hub of modern and ancient Athens. The leading philosophers who often debated in the famous Agora were Socrates, Plato and Aristotle. The modern practice of the Olympic Games and the concepts of democracy originated in Athens.
