The history of Athens is rich in fact and legend; events that have occurred during the 4,500 years of Athens’ history have played an important role in shaping our civilization. Prehistoric Athens history can be traced to Neolithic settlements on the Acropolis dating back to the 5th millennium B.C. Early signs of cultural sophistication in Athens history manifest themselves during the Mycenaean age circa 1500 – 1200 B.C. For example, a script used for putting the Greek language in writing can be traced to this period.

The period from 1200 – 750 B.C is referred to as a dark age in Athens’ history. During this period, the Mycenaeans were overthrown by the Dorian invaders who were also a Greek-speaking people. The period from 750 – 528 B.C is one marked by rivalries between clans of aristocrats. Further, Athens also began to emerge as a trading power on the Black Sea coast and new military ideas and solider formations such as those of the hoplites began to evolve during this age. Religious cults such as those dedicated to Athena sprung up. The period 528 – 478 B.C saw the seeds of Athenian democracy being sown and also the first great threat from a superpower in Athens’ history. This was the threat posed by the Persians and this threat was met with resounding Athenian wins at Marathon and Plataea.

The period after the Persian Wars heralded the golden age in Athens history. Athens controlled Byzantium, the Black Sea grain route and took over the hegemony of Greece from Sparta. However, the Peloponnesian wars of 431 – 404 B.C ended Athenian supremacy over the region and from that period Athens was under the rule of the Macedonians, the Romans, the Christian Orthodox Empire, Crusaders, and many other rulers.

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