ATTICA (region)
Historical region of Greece, including the city of Athens
- Also called
- Cecrops' land
- Kind of place
- Region
- Patron
- Poseidon
- Landmarks
- Sea produced by Poseidon Apollodorus 3.14.1
- Where
- 38.00° N, 23.80° E
Most of the region lies under mountains and borders the sea. Strabo 9.1.3 The people of Attica gave great honours to Demeter for her benefactions. Diodorus 5.77 Attica is very sterile land, similar to Megaris. Strabo 9.1.8
Described in the sources
Megaris was considered a part of Attica. Strabo 9.1.5 +1 The location of Thoricus is within this region. Herodotus 4.99.4 +1 Aphidna is a town located within the region of Attica. Diodorus 4.63 +1 The town of Anaphlystus is situated within this region. Herodotus 4.99.4 +1 Oenoe is a district situated on the borders of the region. Diodorus 4.60 +1 The promontory of Sunium is located within the region of Attica. Apollodorus, Epitome 6.29 +1 The island of Euboea faces the region of Attica across the water. Strabo 10.1.2 +1 Amphictyon ruled over the region after deposing the ruler Cranaus. Apollodorus 1.7.2 +1 The cape and heights of Sunium are situated within this territory. Herodotus 4.99.4 +1 Cecrops ruled the region after the death of the previous king Actaeus. Apollodorus 3.14.1 +1
Gods and worship
Inhabitants of Cephale refer to the Dioscuri as the Great gods. Pausanias 1.31.1 The parish of Marathon dedicated an offering commemorating the bull's sacrifice in Attica. Pausanias 1.27.10
Stories and history
The Amazons invaded the region after leaving the river Thermodon. Herodotus 9.27.4 +1 The Lacedaemonians invaded Attica and destroyed the surrounding countryside. Pausanias 1.21.1 +1 The Peloponnesians under Archidamus invaded the region annually with an army, causing widespread destruction. Pausanias 1.29.6 +1 The region was forced to send seven youths and seven maidens to Crete every nine years to satisfy Minos's demands. Diodorus 4.61 +1 Theseus consolidated the scattered inhabitants of Attica into a single city, incorporating many small local communities into Athens, which made the Athenians proud of their state's importance. Diodorus 4.61 +1 Attic men helped found the Sardinian city of Olbia. Pausanias 10.17.5 The region produces fish known as ellops and orphus. Athenaeus 7.24 The barbarian was permitted to march into the region. Herodotus 9.7B.1 The Athenians expelled the Pelasgians from the region. Herodotus 6.137.1 The region was being devastated by the army of Xerxes. Herodotus 8.65.1
Myths set at Attica
In the age of the gods
Before the heroes. In Godsunder these are history: everyone in the world knows them.
- The Gift of Agriculture to Humanity. hook: "Demeter, the goddess of harvest, sought to provide food for humanity as natural sources like acorns failed." goal: "She set out to teach humans the art of agriculture by gifting them corn and sowing instructions." outcome: "She successfully transformed wild corn into cultivated wheat and taught humans to plow and sow, spreading agriculture from Attica to Egypt."} Diodorus 5.49 +5 Demeter
In the age of heroes
- The War for the Tribute of Athens. Minos demands compensation for the death of his son Androgeos, threatening war when Athens ignores him. He wages a prolonged conflict against Attica and other forces, eventually securing a tribute of youths and maidens. Diodorus 4.61 +5 Minos
- The Death of Antiope. Antiope, an Amazon and wife of Theseus, dies heroically in battle at Attica. Her death occurs before Theseus marries Phaedra, with accounts varying on whether she was killed by a javelin or by Heracles. Diodorus 4.28 +4 Antiope
- The Organization of Attica. hook: Ion lived among the Athenians and his past service helped secure permission for Ionians to settle in Attica. goal: Ion set out to organize the state and population of Attica. outcome: Ion divided the people into four tribes, established regulations, and gave his name to the region of Attica. Pausanias 1.31.3 +3
- The Black Sails and Death of Aegeus. Theseus returns to Attica with black sails, causing his father to believe he is dead. Aegeus kills himself in grief after the mistaken belief that his son perished. Apollodorus, Epitome 1.10 +2 Theseus
- The Visit to Eumelus and Founding of Antheia. Triptolemus travels to Patrae and receives cultivated corn from King Eumelus. He learns to establish a city, which he founds with Eumelus and names Antheia in honor of Eumelus's son. Pausanias 7.18.2 +1 Triptolemus
- The Gift to Icarius. Dionysus arrives in Attica and is welcomed by Icarius. As a reward, Dionysus gives Icarius a vine branch. Apollodorus 3.14.7 Dionysus
- The War with Decelia. The Deceleans and Decelus were angered by Theseus's pride, with Decelus fearing for the safety of Attica. The facts do not state a specific goal or outcome. Herodotus 9.73.2 Theseus