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Summary
The first local inhabitants of Athens are known as
the Pelasgei who also constructed the ancient wall surrounding Athens,
called Pelasgic. The descent of the first Greeks around 2000 b.C.
was probably followed by the Ions who came from Asia and became
the later inhabitants of Athens.
The establishment of the city of Athens is attributed
to the mythical hero Theseus and is dated back in the eighth century
b.C.
The last mythic king of Athens was Cordos who according
to the myth was responsible for the abolition of monarchy in the
city of Athens. In the dawn of the seventh century, authority was
turned into the hands of three rulers, all representatives of the
order of the noblemen, while trading and crafts gradually started
to develop. In 594 b.C. Solon adopted new laws and divided the people
of Athens into four social classes.
The period of democracy started in 507 b.C. with Cleisthenis
and society was built on the base of equality among all people,
regardless of their financial status. The number of social classes
increased from four to ten and the country on its whole was divided
into 100 municipalities. Both the institution of the “generals”
along with the punishment of ostracism upon anyone endangering democracy
were established during this period.The rising course of the country
was interrupted by the Persian wars. However after the victorious
termination of the wars -battle of Marathon, naval battle of Salamis
and battle of Plataea- it was continued at a speedy pace. The production
potential consisting of traders and craftsmen led the way giving
new impetus to democracy.
The “golden age” of Pericles started in 460 b.C. and
is synonymous with the prevalence of Athens in all fields of activities.
This refers to the economic aspect with the Athenian imperialism,
the prevalence almost to the whole of the Greek world, as well as
to the intellectual aspect with the birth of drama, the development
of philosophical thinking and to the cultural aspect with the glorious
temple of Acropolis, the sculpturing of Pheidias along with many
other achievements.
The structure of this film is based on all monuments
and findings today placed in museums, depicting a characteristic
every day life in ancient Athens. The holy rock of Parthenon, the
Erechtheum, the Caryatids and the unique exhibits of the museum
of the Acropolis. The temple of Olympian Zeus, the theatre of Dionysus,
Pnyca, Aeropagus, and the ancient market with the exhibits of its
museum, the temple of Hephaestus (Thision), Ceramicos and the pomp
of the Panathenaea, with the Zophore of the Parthenon.
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