Athens is a city steeped in history and culture, often referred to as the cradle of Western civilization and the birthplace of democracy. The city is renowned for its archaeological ruins and monuments dating back to the 5th century BCE, notably the Acropolis, a hilltop citadel topped with ancient buildings like the Parthenon temple. Athens is a huge cosmopolitan metropolis and central to economic, financial, industrial, maritime, political and cultural life in Greece.According to Greek mythology the city was named after Athena, the ancient Greek goddess of wisdom, but modern scholars generally agree that goddess took her name after the city. History Athens has been inhabited since the Neolithic period, and by the 14th century BC, it had become a powerful Mycenaean center. However, it's the Classical period, particularly the 5th century BC, that marks the height of Athenian power and glory. During this t...