Group 2

Summary• Athens was the principal city of the region Attica. The city is

dominated by the citadel on top of the hill, called the Acropolis.

• Athens would play an important role in ancient history during the Classical period (500-332 BC), where it became the centre of culture, commerce and imperial power.

• Classical Athens was also creator of the new government system known as democracy. Doing away with monarchy and tyrants, the power rested with the citizens' ability to vote their government officials.

• As a centre of culture, Athens became one of the leading cities, producing genius in philosophy, science, medicine, literature, art and architecture.

• From their literature they produced one of the richest myths, where they once had great and powerful kings ruled their city during the Bronze Age.

Cecrops• Legendary king of Athens.

• Forced to choose between Athena and Poseidon as the god of the city.

• Often depicted as half-serpent.

Procne and Philomela• Sisters

• Procne married Tereus, who instantly fell in love with Philomela.

• Tereus lied about Procne’s death, forcing Philomela into marriage.

• Procne threatened to tell the world of this. This angered Tereus, so he cut off her tongue so she could not tell.

• Tereus was about to kill the two, when the gods changed them into birds. Procne became a nightingale who sang the saddest story of all, while Philomela was a bird who could never sing. Tereus was turned into an ugly hawk.

Procris and Cephalus• Procris was niece of the sisters, and married to Cephalus.

• Aurora took Cephalus away, hoping to make him love her. He refused, and in this process realized his love for Procris.

• One day, hunting together, they separated to hunt game. Cephalus hear some noise in the bushes and threw his javelin. He went to see his prey when he saw that it was Procris dead, pierced through the heart.

Orithyia and Boreas

• Sister of Procris, and love of Boreas.

• People of Athens opposed the relationship.

• As society hated the two being together, they eventually ran away together forever.

Creüsa and Ion• Creüsa was sister of

Orithyia and Procris.

• Apollo forced her to have a baby with her.

• She could not tell anyone, and left child for dead, later finds him: Ion.

• We do not know what happens after this.