| Before humans had settled
Greece, cities were to be established and city patron gods and goddesses decided
upon. But there was an argument over a certain plot of land in southern Greece,
located next to the harbor. Everything was just perfect. In fact, it was so perfect
that both Poseidon and Athena wanted it to be named after them. So Zeus told the entire
Olympian company to come down to Athens. Both Poseidon and Athena were to give a
gift to the city. The better gift would win the city.First, Poseidon gave a gift
useful in war (exactly what it was I don't know). The gods were impressed. They said,
"If you win, the city shall be called Posideonia. But if Athena should defeat you
with a better gift, the city will be named Athens. Then Athena gave her gift. It was
an olive tree. The gods found this more useful than a war gift and so awarded the olive
tree to the city, named it Athens, and gave Athena the duty of being the patron goddess of
the wonderful place. Athens grew to be a wonderful city. The Partentheon was built there, a temple worshipping Athena. It was the only Greek city, and the first city, to have a democracy instead of king and queen. Its only unlucky statistic was that it was unlucky in naval battles. This was because Poseidon was jealous for not having the city named Posiedonia and put into his care. Because of Athens' great qualities, other cities and countries wanted it for themselves. This led to the Battle of Marathon, involving the Athenians defending themselves against the dreaded Persian army.
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