The main city of ancient Attica. The formation of the Athenian state. See what is "attica" in other dictionaries

ATTICA

Ancient ("Attikn) - the region of Greece. It has been inhabited since the Neolithic. The spurs of Kiferon and Parnet divide A. into small plains: Athenian, Eleusinian, Mesogean, marathon - suitable for agriculture. Besides plain, terraced farming was widespread. Grape and olives were the main agricultural crops of A. in antiquity. Barley and wheat yields were low, bread was scarce. Sheep and goats were raised on mountain pastures. A. was rich in salt, marble, clay, silver (mined in the mountains of Lavrion in the south of A.). Crafts (pottery, metalworking, shipbuilding) were developed in A. The ruggedness of the coast of A., its middle position in Greece, the need for import of bread contributed to the development of sea trade of A. (harbor - Piraeus, Faleron.) By the 5th century BC A. gradually became the most developed socio-economic, political and cultural area (center - Athens) of Greece. In modern Greece, A. forms one of the adm .-ter. units - nom.

Lit .: Kolobova K. M., Gluskina L. M., Essays on the History of Ancient Greece, L., 1958; Wrede W., Attika, Athen, 1934.

Attica of the Clisfen era

Soviet historical encyclopedia. - M .: Soviet Encyclopedia. Ed. E. M. Zhukova. 1973-1982 .

See what "ATTICA" is in other dictionaries:

In ancient times, the region in the southeast of Wed. Greece. In modern Greece, Attica is one of the nomes (center of Athens) ... Big Encyclopedic Dictionary

- (Attica, ή Άττιχή). The most important region of middle Hellas, the country is mountainous and infertile; its capital was Athens. (Source: “A Brief Dictionary of Mythology and Antiquities.” M. Korsh. St. Petersburg, edition of A. S. Suvorin, 1894.) ... Encyclopedia of mythology

Exist., Number of synonyms: 1 area (62) ASIS Synonym Dictionary. V.N. Trishin. 2013 ... Synonym dictionary

Attica - (Attica), region in southeast. parts Center. Greece. In antiquity there were several. small settlements, which gradually merged into the city of Athens. This process was completed by the 7th century. BC. Families of large landowners continued to live outside ... ... The World History

The style of this article is non-encyclopedic or violates the norms of the Russian language. The article should be corrected according to the Wikipedia stylistic rules ... Wikipedia

In ancient times, the region is in the southeast of Central Greece. In modern Greece, Attica is one of the nomes (center of Athens). * * * ATTICA ATTICA, in ancient times a region in the southeast of Central Greece. In modern Greece, Attica is one of the nomes (center of Athens) ... encyclopedic Dictionary

Attĭca, ή Άττική (from ακτή, instead of ακτική), was also called Άκτή, “a coastal country”, and among poets Μοψοπία, or Ίωνία, or Ποσειδωνια was the most important of the 8 regions that made up Ella's own (middle). She had the form ... The real dictionary of classical antiquities

- (Greek: Attike) in ancient times a region in the southeast of Middle Greece. Political unification of A. around Athens (Sinojkism) occurred, according to ancient Greek legends, under King Theseus (See Theseus), in fact, this process stretched to ... Great Soviet Encyclopedia

- (Greek ή Αττική, which means a coastal country) is the southeastern region of Middle Greece, a connecting link between the Balkan Peninsula and the Archipelago, approximately 2200 sq. km. km of space; border on S. Viotia, on Z. Megara, with the south and the east ... ... Encyclopedic Dictionary F.A. Brockhaus and I.A. Efron

Attica - (from Greek coastal country) peninsula, one of the largest areas in the southeast of the Sredn. Greece. Its mountains are the branches of Kiferon, a steep rocky ridge that formed A.'s natural border with Boeotia and Megaras. Among ... ... The ancient world. Dictionary dictionary.

Books

• Athens. Between the sky and the sea, Philippe Plisson. "Indeed, we Greeks are the first seafarers in the world, and we entrusted Philip Plisson with the creation of this magnificent album. Athens, and, indeed, the whole of Attica, look in it ...
• Ancient Attica at the end of the 5th-4th centuries BC e. Disposal of public land in the polis, Bulycheva E. The book examines the problem of renting and selling public land in Attica in the fifth and fourth centuries. BC e. The main source of study is the printing material. Based on the ancient Greek ...

In Greece, there is everything that a modern tourist is looking for. This country caresses the sun 300 days a year, its borders are washed by 4 seas and surrounds 1,400 islands.

Greece invites you to fascinating trips to ancient ruins and museums where ancient treasures are stored. This sunny country attracts with its fruit groves and delicacies prepared from the gifts of the Mediterranean Sea.

Greek beaches have earned the title of best vacation destination in the world. Tourists flock here to sunbathe, spend time at youth discos, make unique photo shoots and enjoy the taste of aromatic olives.

One such tourist destination is Attica. It is located in the heart of the country. This is the area where statehood was laid, and where the capital of Greece is located.

Attica translated as “coastal country”. Attica is located on a peninsula that is washed from three sides by the bays of the Aegean, Euboean, Petalian and Saronic Seas.

How to get to Attica

And you can get closer to this historical area with the help of a developed public transport system.

The shuttle bus station is located at 100, Kiffissou street. From here, the transport of KTEL Attikis will deliver it to Attica's bus stations, one of which is located near the Acropolis, and the second on Egyptian Square.

Schedules of local trains are available at Athens stations. In addition, there is a ferry and air service to Attica.

Royal Olympic Hotel located within walking distance of the Acropolis. Its luxuriously furnished rooms offer magnificent views of the Temple of Zeus or the fragrant garden with pool.

Poseidonion Grand Hotel located on the island of Spetses and is its attraction, due to its rich architecture. The rooms feature stylish furniture and wooden floors add luxury. Room balconies offer sea views or a flower garden.

Things to do in Attica: Sightseeing

The lands of Attica absorbed ancient legends and myths that come to life in the eyes of impressionable travelers.

Read also: Three days in Athens: discover interesting places in Athens. Day Three

Walking around the sights, you can easily go back to ancient times, when mortals were inhabited by omnipotent deities. Once in Attica, do not deny yourself the pleasure of visiting the following temples and monasteries and simply interesting places:

• Temple of Poseidon
  
  Unique building located on Cape Sounion. Sacraments and ceremonies were performed in this temple to appease the terrible sea god. The slender columns of the temple, which are framed by a massive structure, amaze the imagination. The building combines subtlety and grandeur, personifying the connection of land and sea.

• Daphne Monastery
  It can be found 10 kilometers from Athens. This building was erected on the site of the pagan temple of Apollo Daphnia in the VI century. Today the monastery has the status of a monument.

• Engin Island
  
  This small island attracts with its luxurious beaches and clear sea water. It is located in the middle of the Sardonic Gulf. In history, this island is known for the fact that about 360 temples were built on it. Most of them have been wiped off the face of the earth, but travelers who love the old days can get to the city of Paleochora, considered a ghost in which no one has lived for a long time.

The political history of Attica is a classic example of the emergence of the state. From ancient times, Athens, the main city of Attica, was inhabited by a people ethnically close to the Malaysian Greeks.

Attica, the region of Middle Greece, is a peninsula, protruding in a triangle into the Aegean Sea and washed from the west by the Saronic Gulf, the Strait of Evripe separates it from the island of Euboea. The central region of Attica (Mesogeya) is surrounded by mountain ranges. The Kefis River cuts the valley into two parts and connects the plain with the sea. Attica has several natural harbors on the west coast: Faler, Piraeus (Munichia). The nature of the country has had its effect on the history of Attica. Mainly remaining an agricultural country for gardeners, cattle breeders, gardeners and beekeepers, Attica, with good bays and harbors, developed great trade and industry, which gained her fame throughout the Hellenic world and beyond. Sparta in this respect cannot be compared to anything.

The ancient history of Attica is little more known than the history of Sparta. Like Sparta, Attica and Athens with their historical roots go to the Cretan-Mycenaean world. In the post-Roman period, Attica was covered with small basilei fortresses, as evidenced by the remains that have survived to date. The myths preserve the names of the most ancient semi-legendary Attic kings and heroes: Kekropa, Aegeus, Theseus, Codra, etc.

In myths and legends, the formation of the Athenian state is represented in the form of many years of struggle with each other of the Basileans, who were sitting in their policies, scattered across the territory of Attica. Subsequently, this process of struggle began to be imagined as a peaceful association, or sinoikism. In the stories it is told that after the royal power received Theseus combining strength with the mind, he tidied up the country, abolished the councils and officials of other cities, and united through synoykism all residents around one city, establishing one council and one pritane. In memory of the association of Attica, an all-Ata holiday was established Panathenaeans, dedicated to the memory of the patroness of the city of Athena Pallas, the goddess of war and olive groves. Subsequently, the Panathenaea turned into a national holiday, accompanied by games, gymnastic and musical competitions.

The socio-economic system of Attica XII-VIII centuries. can be defined as a Homeric system.

The four tribal unions, or Filas, who inhabited Attica, were divided into phratries, phratries, into clans. According to the general law, the growth of productive forces, the division of labor, and exchange corrupted the clan organizations, putting forward other organizations — neighborly, professional, and property ones — in their place. For the longest time, the tribal organization remained at the top layer of the "noble and rich" aristocrats called in Attica eupatridesi.e. having noble parents.

Athenian landscape.

Away the Kefisa River Valley and the Aegean Mountain Pass with "Sacred road» on Eleusis. Right Erechtheion.

Most of the population was medium and small farmers - geomorphs, artisans - demiurges, traders and feta. The lower stratum of Attic society was made up of slaves, whose number increased with each century.

Under the influence of the same factors that destroyed the clan, certain localities and clans merged into a single Athenian state. The process of formation of the Athenian state, long and diverse, ended around the beginning of the VI century. BC e.

The unification of Attica, caused by the growth of productive forces, for its part, was a factor that contributed to further socio-economic and cultural progress. Along with local customs, institutions, worship, etc., general-Attic (Athenian) institutions arose. In this way, Athens from the fortress, the seat of the basilei and his squad, turned into a city-polis in the proper sense.

The supreme power over the united Attica for several centuries belonged to the Athenian basilei. Around the VIII century. royal power in Athens disappears. The last king of Athens was, according to legend, Codr. After the abolition of tsarist power, Athens led the rulers elected from eupatrides. archons. At first, this position was for life, then the archons were elected for 10 years and, finally, for one year. Initially, only one archon was elected, around the middle of the VI century. formed college of nine archons: 1) the first archon, an archon-eponym, initially had great power, later his functions were limited; 2) the archon basile performed mainly priestly functions, as well as judicial functions in cases related to the cult; 3) the archon-polemarch was the leader of the Athenian militia, and 4) the six archons of the security guard, the chairmen of various judicial colleges. Archons sent public posts free of charge. Archonism was considered the highest honor and honor not only for the archon himself, but also for his entire family, phratry and phyla, to which he belonged.

Upon fulfillment of the term of office, the archons entered into areopagus, supreme state council. Criminal cases, in particular cases of murder, were investigated in the Areopagus. The Areopagus was the guardian of traditions, the highest judicial and regulatory authority. He owned the recommendation and control of the archons. Areopagus sat on a rock dedicated to the god of war Areus. From here, apparently, the name itself comes.

Only Eupatrides, members of the most influential Athenian clans, could be archons and members of the Areopagus. Having wealth and having at its disposal a mass of servants and dependent people, eupatrides could live in Athens and engage in public affairs.

The economic basis of the power of the Eupatrides was land located in a fertile area near Athens. The survivals of the tribal system were still very strong: the land could not be alienated, and all property remained in kind. However, new relationships have already made themselves known. Some Eupatrides were engaged in usury and trade, especially since the geographical position of Afpn, located only 5 kilometers from the sea, predisposed to overseas trade. The number of rich and influential aristocratic clans in Attica, as in general throughout Greece, decreased with each generation. Money economy not only decomposed childbirth in the lower layers of Attica, but also captured the upper layer of the "noble". A smaller part of the Eupatrides grew richer and richer, becoming even more noble and noble, while the greater part became poorer and fell into the category of artifacts. “The clan system is absolutely incompatible with money management” 1. The farther, the more generosity became a symbol and a sign of wealth. The number of influential Eupatrid families and families in Athens in the 8th – 7th centuries, on the eve of the great reforms, was small, but in their hands were wealth, power and power.

The influence of the economic changes that have taken place — the growth of the monetary economy and the growth of slavery — was most painfully felt in the countryside. Penetrated into the village trade and usury mercilessly broke the patriarchal relations consecrated by antiquity, inseparable from subsistence farming.

"... A developing monetary economy has penetrated, like a corrosive acid, into the primitive way of life of rural communities based on subsistence farming."

The situation of the rural mass of geomorphs and fetov in the 7th-6th centuries in Attica it was extremely difficult, both materially and legally. There is absolutely definite evidence of this from our main sources, the “Athenian polity” of Aristotle and Plutarch (in the biography of Solon). Despite the well-known schematism and one-sidedness of their coverage, the very fact of the ruin of the Attic village is not in doubt. The main scourge of the village was usury and growing slavery, crowding out free labor.

Plutarch and Aristotle report that in Attica, on the eve of the Solon reforms (VI century), the mass of small landowners was indebted to the rich Eupatrides. Debtors cultivated the land of the rich or took money on the security of their own personalities. Lenders had the right to slave the debtor or to sell abroad.

“The fact is,” says Aristotle in “Athenian Politics” (“The History of the Athenian Constitution”), “that at that time the political system in Athens was oligarchic, the poor were enslaved to the rich, they and their families. They cultivated the lands of Eupatrides, giving them five sixths of the income received from the land for this, and leaving one sixth for personal use for themselves and their family. Therefore, they were called hexahedrons (hectomorphs). All land was in the hands of a few. If the debtors did not pay the fee they were due at the time, then they themselves and their family members were allowed to be enslaved. ”

Against the Eupatrides, who had political power and strength in their hands and firmly clung to the tribal system, not only enslaved hexagonists, but also other public strata of Attica, including some “noble” ones, spoke out. In other words, against the dominance of the Eupatrides, all the elements of the emerging slaveholding policy were opposed, among them a part of the “noble” ones, for some reason torn off from their class. Class contradictions in the VII-VI centuries. in Attica were as sharp as in the other Greek policies mentioned above.

“The clash of the newly formed social classes blows up the old society, resting on clan unions” 1.

“The clan system came to an end. Society every day more and more grew out of its framework; even the worst negative phenomena that arose in front of everyone, he could neither weaken nor eliminate. Meanwhile, the state quietly developed ... "

The long accumulated dissatisfaction with the existing system finally broke through in the form of the so-called Kilon trouble in the 30s of the VII century. The essence of the Kilon turmoil is as follows: Kilon, an aristocrat by birth, who won the Olympic Games, the son-in-law of the megarian tyrant Theagen, was very popular in Athens. Taking advantage of the crowds during the celebration in honor of Zeus, Kilon with a group of adherents decided to carry out a coup in order to seize the supreme power. The adherents of Kilon managed to capture the Acropolis, but they could not stay in it due to the weak support of the people. “Having learned about this, the Athenians rushed from the fields against Kilon and his associates and, settling down at the Acropolis, began to besiege him. The siege dragged on, and most of the Athenians weary of it left, leaving the archons to guard Cylon and giving them unlimited authority on everything else at their discretion. At that time, most of the administrative functions belonged to the archons. ” The Eupatrides managed to quickly organize themselves and besieged the Acropolis. Cylon himself managed to escape, and his followers who sought refuge from the altar of Athena? life was promised if they left the temple. However, this promise was not fulfilled. Upon leaving the temple, Kilon's accomplices were killed, some even at the altar of the Eumenides.

At the head of the besiegers were representatives of the clan Alkmeonides.Klonova Fel has left an indelible spot on the genus Alkmeonides. Throughout Athenian history, the Alkmeonids were considered a cursed clan who did not keep his promise to free the besieged and shed blood at the altar of the goddess patron saint of the city. This circumstance, at every opportunity, took advantage of their political and personal enemies.

Klon’s coup attempt failed due to the immaturity of the movement, but still an impetus was given. Class contradictions deepened, and with them the class struggle intensified. The “turmoil” begun by Cylon continued after his exile. All this indicated that public discontent and fermentation in Attica in the middle of the VI century. were very strong.

The first major concession of the Eupatrides was the publication of written laws. Laws of Dragon. In 621, one of the archons, Dragon, was commissioned to review and record existing customary law. The assigned task was completed. This is how the "Dragon Laws" came about.

The laws of Dragon, according to legend, were distinguished by extraordinary severity (“dragon laws!”), Which testified to the rudeness and cruelty of the morals of this era. The death penalty even relied on crimes such as idleness, theft of vegetables and fruits. “The laws of Dragon are not written in ink, but in blood,” the Greeks themselves described the Dragon laws. It was said that when they asked the legislator himself why he imposed the death penalty for almost all crimes, Dracont supposedly replied that minor offenses, in his opinion, deserve this punishment, but for large ones he could not think of more. Particularly fierce were punishments for violation of private property rights: theft, arson, murder and other civil offenses.

Nevertheless, despite all the ferocity, technical imperfection and primitiveness of legal consciousness, the Dragon laws were of great historical significance as the victory of the emerging (slave-owning) democratic policy over elements of the tribal system, if only because some of their articles were definitely directed against blood feud. The greatest benefit from the introduction of written law was received by the upper layer of the demos, especially foreigners living in Athens (metekp). Meteki (or metoyka), merchants and artisans, were interested in fixing firm legal rules for trade and monetary operations. The written law protected private property and brought order to property and business relations.

• Engels, The Origin of the Family, Private Property, and the State, 1938, p. 106.
• In the same place.
• Engels, The Origin of the Family, Private Property, and the State, 1938, p. 4.
• Ibid., P. 109.
• 8 Thucydides, 1, 126.

Attica

Geography

Most of Attica is covered with hills, consisting of limestone and marble, and currently represents some naked, devoid of vegetation space. Only the higher parts of Kiferon and Parnassus, as well as the northwestern slopes of Pentelikon, are covered with pine and spruce forests. The foundation of the entire mountain system is Kiferon (now Elatea, the so-called spruce hill, the highest point of which rises 1411 m above sea level). Kiferon with his main line separates Attica from Viotia; Attica is separated from Megara by its branch going to the south and bearing the name Kerata (horns); with southeastern spurs of Kiferon, Parnas (now Ocea) reaching 1413 m merges, whose northeastern branches, now bearing separate names (Beletzi, Armeni, Mavrovuno, Tsastany, Stavrokoraki, Kotroni), stretching to the eastern edge of the region, form in this part Attica is a real mountain country (Diakria or Epacria of the ancients). The southern continuation of Parnassus is Egaleos, which rises much lower above the sea, which in the southern part, where it protrudes into the sea against the island of Salamis, is called Koridallos (now Scaramantha), and in the middle, where it is cut through by a gorge connecting the plains of Athens and Eleusis, called Pekilion. In the northeast, the Athenian plain is bordered by Brilettos, or, as it was usually called by the area lying on its southern slope, Pentelikon (now Menteli). This is a pyramidal hill reaching 1110 m high with extensive, still successfully operated marble quarries, which deliver excellent white marble of the finest grain, which goes to buildings and statues. A 4 km wide valley separates the Pentelikon’s foot in the south from the southern belt, which is almost exclusively composed of bluish-gray marble, which in ancient times was used for architectural purposes. This ridge - Gimet (now Trelovuno) - rises 1027 m, is almost devoid of forest vegetation, but is covered with odorous herbs and is therefore inhabited by wild bees that give excellent honey. The eastern edge of the region (near the ancient Paralia) is cut by the lower chains of hills, which south of Gimet, where the peninsula narrows, merge into one ridge - the Lavrion Highlands, which consists of a cape steeply going down to the sea - Sunium, on which the ruins of the temple of Athena still now rise , on whose columns the cape is now called the sailors of Cap Colonnes. The Lavrion Mountains, in their wealth of silver, were of great importance to Attica in antiquity; but these mines, at first very profitable, were intensively exploited before that, already immediately after the beginning of BC. e. had to stop mining. Only in later times did they try, and not unsuccessfully, to extract benefits from the slag remaining from previous work.

The mountains stretch partly directly to the sea, partly to their soles accumulated alluvial land, forming more or less wide coastal plains, of which many were known in antiquity. The most remarkable of these is the marathon plain (belor.)russian on the north coast. It is a lowland of 9 km long and from 2-4 km wide., With a vast swamp to the northeast. Here in 490 BC e. the Persian army was defeated by the Athenian army. There are only three more significant plains, which either start off the coast and extend far inland or are completely separated from the sea: 1) the Athenian plain, often referred to simply as the “plain” (pedion); 2) the smaller, separated from the Athenian Aegelean mountains, Triassic plain (the so-called ancient area of \u200b\u200bTria) and 3) the plain between Gimet and the lower mountain ranges of the eastern coast, which connects to the Athenian plain through the valley separating Pentelikon from Gimet.

The country's irrigation is extremely poor. The most significant streams flow along the Athenian plain, namely: Kefis, starting at the southwestern foot of Pentelikon in the forest-rich area of \u200b\u200bKefizia, fed by various tributaries from Parnassus. It flows through the plain in a southwestern direction and west of the city is diverted into numerous canals for irrigation of vegetable gardens and plantations; Ilissus begins at the northern foot of Gimet, flows at the eastern and southern sides of the city and is lost in the sands to the south-west of it. In addition to them, it is necessary to mention the other Kefis of the Eleusinian Plain, the creek Enoe cutting through the Marathon Plain (the so-called ancient area lying north of the Marathon) and Erasinos, which flows further south from the eastern coast, near the ancient area of \u200b\u200bArafen (now Rafina).

Agriculture and Fossils

The soil of the country is almost entirely a light, rather thin layer of rocky limestone, which is not very suitable for the cultivation of wheat, more so for barley and grapes, but especially for olive and fig, and therefore the latter, both in antiquity and now are the main products of the country and items of its export. Cattle breeding is significant even today, and in ancient times Attic wool was very famous. In the mountains, not to mention the already exhausted silver mines of Lavrion, excellent marble is mined; the soil in many places, especially on the coastal strip, going southwest of Piraeus harbor and the Falernaya Bay and ending at the foothills of the Kolias (now Gagios Cosmas), provides excellent clay for dishes, and therefore pottery represented a flourishing branch of industry in ancient Athens and its products were very common.

History

The country's population, not to mention some of the Pelasgian elements of the prehistoric era and the huge number of foreigners who subsequently permanently resided in Athens, belonged in ancient times to the Ionian tribe. Residents called themselves autochthonous, that is, indigenous, since their ancestors came directly from the soil of the country and since time immemorial, the land has been in their continuous possession. Like all Ionian peoples, the inhabitants of Attica split into four tribes or classes (phyla): gelons (noble), hoplites (warriors), Egicoreans (shepherds in general and goats in particular) and ergadeis (farmers). According to legend, since time immemorial, there have been 12 independent cities or community unions in the country. These were part of separate, even later existing settlements, such as Kekropiya (later Athens), Eleusis, Dekelei and Afidna (the last two in the north of the country), Brauron (among the east coast), Torikos (in the southernmost part of the east coast), Kiteros (location unknown), Sfetos and Kefissia, part of the unions of several settlements, such as Epacria (northern mountainous country), Tetrapolis (union of four cities) on the Marathon Plain and Tetracomia (union of four villages) in the very south of the Athenian plain. According to legend, these 12 communities are connected by Theseus into one political whole, whose capital Athens became.

Administrative division in antiquity \u003d\u003d vitalik seryozhin

The division of the people into 4 phyla remained under both the kings and the archons. Even the legislator Solon did not abolish this division, and in parallel with it, partly wishing to reduce the influence of the ancient aristocratic clans, partly to lead to a more equitable distribution of the tax burden among citizens, created a new division of citizens into 4 classes according to their property. Only Klisfen canceled the ancient Ionian tribal division and put in its place the division of the people into 10 phyla, each of which bore the name of the ancient Athenian hero (Eponima). Each of these fil embraced a certain number of communities (demos) lying in different parts of the country. Ordinarily, each not-so-significant area constituted a special “demu,” while large ones, like the cities of Athens and Brauron, split into several dem. The number of dems was not the same at different times: - at the beginning of the Christian era there were 371. Thanks to writers and inscriptions, we got the names of about 180 dems, but the location of many is now impossible to establish. The total number of citizens fluctuated, judging by the censuses, during the heyday of the state, to the Peloponnesian War, in the range of 80-100 thousand. The number of patrons under the patronage reached 40,000, the number of slaves reached 400,000, so the total number of free and not free people exceeded 500,000. An increase in the number of fil (10) by two new ones took place in 307 BC. e. Out of a desire to flatter Demetrius Poliorketu, the latter were named after him and the name of his father Antigonus - Antigonides and Demetriad. But the first was renamed in 265 BC. e. in honor of the Egyptian king Ptolemy II Philadelphus in Ptolomaida, the second in the city in honor of the Pergamon king Attalus I in Attalid. Finally, under the emperor Hadrian, the 13th fila was annexed and named Adrianida by the name of this benefactor of the city of Athens.

The political system in antiquity

Politically, Attica was in antiquity the most centralized region of Greece. The main city was not only the seat of administration, but also the court, as well as the public assemblies, in the hands of which since the democratic reforms initiated by Klisfen and concluded by Pericles, the supreme solution of all state affairs has been concentrated. The importance that Attica, thanks to its main city of Athens, had in the political and cultural life of Ancient Greece, can only be correctly evaluated in connection with the presentation of the general history of Greece.

Attica is a historical region of Greece, which is located near the modern capital. Spread on a picturesque peninsula of southeast Greece, it served as the cradle of ancient culture. It is difficult to imagine a more suitable place for exploring Hellas and relaxing in the lap of nature, among wonderful beaches, amazing mountains and emerald vegetation.

Geographic features

Atika on the map of Greece resembles a triangle that runs along the sea coast and extends to the central part of the country. In its open spaces is the capital, the port of Piraeus and several cozy resort towns. The area is mostly hilly, surrounded by calcareous and marble mountains. Their peaks are poorly covered with vegetation, but the intermountain plains strike with all shades of dense greenery.

The coastal part is very winding, there are numerous sandy beaches. The blue waters of the Sardonic Gulf wash the shores. The beaches are very clean and beautiful, many of them can boast a blue flag - the highest environmental award for cleanliness and safety.

Myths and historical facts

From the few surviving sources it follows that the first settlers, the Ionian Greeks, occupied the territory of Attica two millennia BC. Although Plato in his works claims that the inhabitants of Attica did not come from other lands, but always lived here. The fact that a person has long settled in this territory is evidenced by numerous archaeological sites.

Later, society was divided into small communities, each of which worshiped a separate god. Periodically, between the settlements there were wars, which were also considered wars between the gods - the patrons of the communities. At the same time, the affected community and its god did not disappear completely, but the importance of one or another patron simply changed. Gradually, as a result of several internecine wars, a single pantheon was formed.

After the expansion of Attica and the inclusion of Athens, next to the Acropolis and the temple of Athens, shrines and other gods of the indigenous settlements began to appear. Athens, on the other hand, turned into a bright pearl of Greece, where culture, art, philosophy actively developed, and new foundations of the state were formed.

Region Attractions

Attica - a land with a rich historical heritage - boasts many attractions. For the most part, these are the ruins of temples and other important structures, as well as the places on which the fate of the ancient Greeks was decided. Let us dwell only on a few, the most interesting sights of Attica.

Temple of Poseidon - a magnificent building, which is located on Cape Sounion - the southernmost point of Attica. It seems that the god of the seas is still washing the remains of his temple, which was perched almost at a cliff at an altitude of 60 m. It is best to visit here in the late afternoon, when the rays of the setting sun pass through the surviving columns.

Acropolis - the oldest fortress in Athens, which even today causes awe. Important historical events left many traces on the blocks of stone. The Acropolis is a rather large multi-level complex, on which you can wander for a long time in search of unusual places and backgrounds for photography.

In the vicinity of Athens is daphne Monastery - Byzantine heritage of Greece. Initially, it was built in honor of Apollo, but later the monastery passed into the possession of Christians, then the building was used as a fortress wall and even as a psychiatric hospital.

Aegina - A small island off the coast of Attica in the Sardonic Gulf. Here you can endlessly admire the beautiful landscapes, as well as numerous churches. On a small plot of land there are 365 religious buildings. Of no less interest is the abandoned city of Palayochora.

Near Athens, in the thick of a cypress forest, an ancient monastery hid. It is located at the base of Mount Imittos, next to a healing spring. The building is striking in size, beautiful architecture, mosaics and frescoes.

Attica Resorts

Having satiated your mind with familiarity with the sights, it's time to go to the beach. Along the coast there are several cozy towns with developed infrastructure. They are united under the name Athenian Riviera. It is difficult to find a deserted or secluded corner, but there is everything for a comfortable stay: yacht clubs, bars, hotels and night clubs.

Only 15 km from the center of Athens is the famous Glyfada. Here you can have fun at night in numerous clubs, and in the afternoon go to a huge golf course.

Lagonissi - less noisy and very comfortable resort. It is ideal for a measured family vacation on the Aegean coast. A calm sea with a shallow bottom and a beach with fine sand allow you to forget about time. After lunch, you can stroll through the dense lemon groves.

Loutraki - a town where you can not only enjoy a relaxing beach holiday, but also improve your health in the famous hospitals. A mild climate and healing springs will return health and youth to everyone.

Vouliagmeni - a prestigious resort with expensive hotels and luxury villas. The city has the lake of the same name, famous for healing springs. With their help, it is possible to get rid of many serious diseases of the skin, bones, nervous system and reproductive organs. In the city there are beautiful coniferous forests.

The maximum cosmetic effect will have a rest in Sounion. There are many beauty centers that use cosmetics based on local herbs, flowers and mineral complexes.

Things to do?

Attica is a place where everyone will find something to their liking. Most tourists begin acquaintance with sightseeing or relaxing on the famous beaches. In addition to passive lying on the beach and swimming, you can ride a scooter or water ski, as well as enjoy the views from a pleasure yacht.

Adults and children alike will enjoy spending time at the water park. Fans of the underwater world can enjoy scuba diving. There are several diving centers on the beaches.

Connoisseurs of gambling and vibrant nightlife will not be left without attention. They can head to the bustling Loutraki casinos or numerous nightclubs along the coast.

Shopping

In Attica, there are areas where people go shopping even from neighboring countries. In the center of Athens there are shopping centers and boutiques where you can buy jewelry and fur products. In memory of this paradise, they buy fragrant herbal teas, leather products, cosmetics based on minerals and olive oil, oil and olives themselves, as well as ceramic products from Marusi masters.

How to get there

Since the capital of Greece, Athens, is in Attica, there will be no problems with the flight. The city has a major international airport, which receives direct flights from various parts of the world.

You can get to more distant towns by comfortable regular buses or trains. They regularly run in the suburbs. In order not to depend on the schedule, you can rent a car and create your own route for exploring the region.

You can get to the island of Aegina by ferry from the port of Piraeus. It delivers passengers every hour from early morning until sunset.