What is attica in ancient greece definition. V

Attica is one of historical areas Greece with rich history, which is confirmed by many archaeological finds and historical monuments... And the geographical position of the region makes it one of the most attractive in terms of tourism and recreation.

Geographical position

Attica attracts not only with its history and natural attractions. This is the land where ancient legends and myths still live. The territory where Attica is located is located in the southeastern part of Greece and is washed on three sides by the waters of the Aegean gulfs: Saronicos from the south, Petalia from the east, Notios Evvoikos from the north-east. In the north, it borders one of the regions of Central Greece - Boeotia, and in the west - with the Peloponnese. Attica also includes the islands of the Saronic Gulf. mostly mountainous, especially in the north, gradually decreasing to the south. Mountains Kiferon and Parnet, which are the natural border with Central Greece, stretch across the entire region with their spurs. They represent a rocky mountain range, only in the higher part, covered with a coniferous forest. The largest of the spurs of Parnet are Pentelikon and Gimette. The lower spurs of Kiferon, going to the south, are called Kerata, and the southeastern branch merges with Parnassus at an altitude of more than 1400 meters and forms a mountainous area extending to the sea. By south edge mountain Lavrius passes through this region, which ends with the most southern point peninsula - Cape Sounion.

Plains and rivers

Valleys with rocky soil are located between the mountain ranges. There are three largest plains in Attica:

• The Athenian Plain is bounded in the north by Mount Parnet, in the northeast by the Pentelikon chain, and in the southeast by the Hymettus Mountains;
• The Triassic Plain, the flattest, extends northward to Kyferon and Parnet, and from the east the Spurs of Parnet separate it from the Athenian Valley;
• the valley between Hymettus and the chain of mountains in the east is the most hilly;
• off the coast, due to alluvial lands, wide flat strips have formed, of which the largest is the Marathon Plain, the other is located near the mouth of the Asop.

Attica is one of the driest regions in the country. There are no deep rivers here that could be used for irrigation. The most significant of them:

• the largest river of Attica - Kefiss, flowing through the Athenian valley, it originates at the foot of Pentelikon and flows in a south-western direction, but most of the water volume goes to irrigate the arid plain;
• another river, Ilissus, flows from the foothills of the Hymettus, but is soon lost in the sands.
• another stream, Enoe, flows through the Marathon Plain.

The shores of Attica are cut by many picturesque and convenient bays for navigation, which resulted in the development of navigation. Currently these cozy bays and the bays, thanks to the warm climate, are a favorite vacation spot for surfers and divers, and the coastline is filled with magnificent sandy beaches.

Climatic conditions

The mild subtropical climate of Attica is characterized by long dry summers and short, wet winters. The average summer air temperature is 26-28 degrees, but in July and August the temperature can reach 38 degrees. Due to the low humidity, the heat is tolerated quite easily. Bathing season lasts from April to October. In winter, the air temperature is from five to ten degrees Celsius, but there is little rain. Such a temperate climate can be explained by the influence of air currents coming from the Mediterranean Sea - cool winds blow from the northeast in winter and cool winds in summer. Doesn't happen here extreme heat and the winter cold of continental Europe.

Soil and natural resources

The Atticians did not allow grain to be grown here. Due to stony soils and a lack of moisture, the valleys were of little use for agriculture, but ancient authors wrote that although bread does not grow on this land, it will feed more people than if it grew here. This will happen due to the abundance of magnificent stone for the construction of temples and altars, as well as the presence of silver, available here by the will of the gods. And for ships, Attica is a land that has reliable marinas where they can hide from bad weather.

Attica marble

The mountains of Attica consist of limestone and slate, as well as magnificent marble, the extraction of which began at the turn of the 3rd - 2nd millennium BC. Ancient Greek temples, which were initially built from limestone, began to be erected from marble, which was mined at Pentelikon. The Parthenon was built from it. Pentelia marble is distinguished by its purest white color and fine grain. It also shines wonderfully in the sun, but turns yellow over time. In the construction of the Acropolis, Piraeus marble of dark colors was also used. In Attica, Eleusinian marble of almost black color, fine-grained Hymettian marble, was also mined. This material was very highly valued and was exported from Greece to Ancient Rome, where it was used in architecture and sculpture. The reddish cliffs of the Lavrion Mountains contained mines rich in silver, and the Hymetta mountain range was a source of excellent honey.

Pottery and agriculture

The reddish clay of Attica was especially appreciated, it was of good quality and easy to work with, therefore pottery was well developed. Amphoras were made from clay - large jugs with a narrow neck and handles, in which wine and olive oil were stored and transported. Clay was also used for the manufacture of tiles, pipes, barrels and many other household items.

Thanks to mild winters, dry summers and an abundance of sun, olive trees have always grown well on the plains of Attica. mountain slopes vineyards were grown, so wine, olives, olive oil, figs have always been the main agricultural products and were exported. In ancient times, Attic wool was very popular, it is famous even now. Sheep, goats and cattle are raised in the mountains.

The origin of the inhabitants of Attica

The inhabitants of Attica mostly belonged to the Ionian tribe, one of the four main Greek tribes, named after the legendary hero. The Ionian people, along with the Dorians, are considered the main carriers of the national culture of Greece. The entire population of Attica was divided into four classes according to genus, which were called the Philae:

• the heleons are noble, they were called "brilliant";
• the hoplites were warriors;
• ergadei - farmers;
• the aegikorei were goat herders or simply shepherds.

In social terms, the Philae consisted of large clans, each of which was divided into several dozen clan families. Families in a certain order united in phratries, that is, religious groups with their own traditions and rituals. Such an organization did not apply to the conquered tribes and their descendants, although they too could freely engage in crafts, trade or agriculture and had their own associations, they were called meteki.

Athens: geographic location

Geographically, Attica is divided into two main parts - the capital of the region and the whole country - Athens with its suburbs and the rest of the territory. The capital is named after the goddess of wisdom Athena, who, according to legend, gave the inhabitants an olive tree. According to another version, the name of the city comes from the word "Athos" - a flower. Athens is located in Attica and is surrounded by mountains from the west, north and east, and from the southwest it has access to the Saronic Gulf. The city has now occupied the entire plain, but its suburbs continue to expand.

Ancient democracy

Athens is not only the administrative center of the country; even in ancient times, the city played an important role in cultural and economic terms. It was here, as a result of a long and fierce struggle between the tribal aristocracy and the demos, that such a form of government as ancient democracy was born, which became the model of popular government. This unique form of government took shape in Athens in the 5th century BC. e. And although in subsequent times Athens went through a difficult path of destructive wars, experienced the power of many conquerors, in their history there was this period of high citizenship and freedom - democracy.

Golden Age of Athens

Ancient Athens originated as a fortified settlement on a hilltop, and then became a city-state as a result of synekism, which meant the unification of Attica around the Acropolis of Athens. This process took several centuries in time. According to ancient myths, the unification took place thanks to the legendary son of King Aegeus - Theseus, who also introduced the division of the population of Athens into social strata:

• eupatrides - generic nobility;
• geomores - farmers;
• demiurges are artisans.

The Athenian state reached its highest prosperity during the reign of Pericles - in the 5th century BC. e. This time was called the Golden Age of Athens. During this period, was built and main temple Athens - Parthenon, unique monument ancient architecture... The temple was built by the ancient Greek masters Kallikrat and Iktin, and beautiful sculptural compositions were made by the famous architect Phidias. The unusualness of the temple is that from one point its facade is visible from three sides, due to the fact that the columns are placed at an angle to each other. Phidias also created the famous statue of Athena from marble and gold. This sculpture is a masterpiece of ancient architecture.

Modernity

The political power of Athens ended with the outbreak of devastating wars with Sparta and then with Macedonia. Then Athens fell under the rule of the Romans, after which the Turks came. For many centuries, the glory of the city faded. Many monuments of history and architecture were destroyed. It was only after a long struggle for independence in the 19th century that Athens again became the capital of Greece. Now it is a huge metropolis with a population of more than five million people, which has again won the status of the cultural and political center of the country and has many historical monuments.

Piraeus

On the southern outskirts of Athens is Piraeus, the largest port in Greece, as well as a major industrial center of the country and an important transport hub. Back in the 5th century BC. e annual turnover of the port was significant. Thanks to the convenient presence of safe harbors, Piraeus became a transit point through which the different kinds goods. The port had shipyards, workshops, storage facilities. Athens, with its port, was considered the most profitable city, since merchants could get Athenian silver for goods here, which was valued everywhere.

Attractions of Attica

Currently, Attica is a popular tourist area with many historical and architectural attractions, as well as wonderful nature and magnificent beaches. The main symbols of Attica are located in Athens. An invaluable historical monument is architectural complex The Acropolis, on which the main temple of ancient Athens, the Parthenon, is located, a place of pilgrimage for a huge number of people. Of the historical sites in the vicinity of Athens, the Daphni Monastery is very popular. On the high cliff the Temple of Poseidon was built, from which there are now majestic ruins. Fishermen, going to sea, brought donations here - the god Poseidon was the second most important for the Greeks, since their life was inextricably linked with the sea. One of the most important sanctuaries of ancient Attica is located in Eleusis - the temple of the goddess Demeter, who gave grain to the Greeks. In honor of her, holidays were held every year in spring and autumn. On the island of Aegina, there is the ghost town of Palayochora, which was deserted a hundred years ago.

The nature of Attica is also amazing and beautiful. On Mount Imittos there is a wonderful healing spring, given, according to legend, by the god Hephaestus to people. Unique medicinal properties possesses thermal, which is replenished from the sources located at its depth, and the extraordinary doctor fish is able to rejuvenate the skin, cleansing it of dead cells. The endless coastline is dotted with many stunning beaches, recreation and activities aquatic species sports.

Attica is a great place to spend a comfortable summer vacation - photos show amazing landscapes of nature, and rave reviews from travelers are evidence of the popularity of this region of Greece.

encyclopedic Dictionary

Attica

in antiquity, the region in the southeast Wed. Greece. In modern Greece, Attica is one of the nomes (center is Athens).

The ancient world. Reference dictionary

Attica

(from Greek- coastal country)

peninsula, one of the largest areas in the southeast of the Middle. Greece. Its mountains are branches of Kiferon, a steep rocky ridge that formed the natural border of Africa with Boeotia and Megara. Among the mountain ranges are the plains: Eleusis, Kekrop, Mesogei and Marathon. The small rivers A. Kefis and Asop were shallow, the land was barren. But the industriousness of the farmers compensated for the scarcity of the land: olives, grapes, figs, millet, spelled, and barley were grown in Armenia. There was a lot of limestone and marble in the mountains, suitable for building. Silver, iron ore and clay were mined in Lavrion, which contributed to the early development of crafts, and thanks to the large reserves of table salt, the population began to preserve food, initiating the development of an entire industry.

The population of Albania considered themselves to be autochthonous. OK. X century. BC, under the legendary king Theseus, it began to unite under the rule of Athens, but this process was long and stretched for centuries. By the VI century. BC. Athens became the center of economic and political transformations in Armenia.The large centers of Armenia were Eleusis, Piraeus, Forikos, Ramnunt, and others.

(IA Lisovy, KA Revyako. The ancient world in terms, names and titles: Dictionary-reference book on the history and culture of Ancient Greece and Rome / Scientific ed. AI Nemirovsky. - 3rd ed. - Minsk: Belarus, 2001)

Encyclopedia of Brockhaus and Efron

Attica

(Greek ή Αττική, which means "coastal country") - the southeastern region of Central Greece, a connecting link between the Balkan Peninsula and the Archipelago, approximately 2200 sq. km of space; It borders in the north with Viotia, in the west with Megara, and with the south and east it is washed by the sea. Most of Albania is covered by elevations of limestone and marble, and at the present time represents only bare spaces devoid of vegetation. Only the higher parts of Kiferon and Parnassus are equal to the northwest. the slopes of Pentelikon are covered with pine and spruce forests. The foundation of all mountain system Serves Kiferon (now Elatea, the so-called spruce hill, the highest point of which rises to 1411 m above sea level). Kiferon with its main ridge separates A. from Viotia; A. is separated from Megara by its branch going to the south and bearing the name Kerata (horns); Parnassus (now Ocea), reaching 1413 m, merges with the southeastern spurs of Kiferon; the edges of the region, in this part of A. The southern continuation of Parnassus is the Aegaleos rising much lower above the sea, which is in the south. the part, where it juts out into the sea opposite the island of Salamis, is called Koridallos (now Scaramantha), and in the middle, where it is cut through by the gorge connecting the plains of Athens and Eleusis, is called Pekilion. On S.V. The Athenian plain is bordered by Brilettos, or, as it was usually called from the area lying on its southern slope, Pentelikon (now still Menteli). This is a pyramidal hill reaching 1110 m in height with extensive, still successfully exploited marble quarries, which deliver excellent white marble of the finest grain, which goes to buildings and statues. A valley 4 km wide in the south separates the base of the Pentelikon from the southern belt, almost exclusively consisting of bluish-gray marble, which in ancient times was used for architectural purposes. This ridge - Gimet (now Trelovuno) - rises to 1027 m, is almost devoid of forest vegetation, but is covered with fragrant grasses and therefore is inhabited by wild bees that give excellent honey. The eastern edge of the region (at the ancient Paralia) is cut through by less high chains of hills, which to the south of Gimet, where the peninsula narrows, join into one ridge - the Lavrion Highlands, which is enclosed by a steeply sloping cape - Sounium, on which the ruins of a temple still rise Athens, according to the columns of which the cape is still called by the sailors Cap Colonnese. In ancient times, the Lavrion Mountains were of great importance to Armenia for their riches in silver; but these mines, at first very profitable, were so intensively exploited that already immediately after R. Kh. mining had to be stopped. Only at a later time did they try, and not unsuccessfully, to take advantage of the slags left over from previous works.

The mountains stretch partly directly to the sea, partly alluvial land accumulated to their soles, forming more or less wide coastal plains, of which many were known in antiquity. The most remarkable of them is the Marathon Plain to the north. shore. It is a lowland 9 km long and from 2-4 km wide, with a vast swamp to the northwest. Here in 490 BC the Persian army was defeated. There are only three more significant plains, which either, starting at the coast, stretch far inland, or are completely separated from the sea: 1) the Athenian plain, often called simply "plain" (pedion); 2) the smaller, separated from the Athenian Aegaleos mountains, the Triassic Plain (so called after the ancient area of ​​Tria) and 3) the plain between Gimetus and the lower mountain ranges of the eastern coast, which connects with Athens. plain through the valley separating Pentelikon from Gimet. Irrigation of the country is extremely poor. The most significant streams flow through Athens. plain, namely: 1) Kefis, starting at the southwest. the foot of Pentelikon in the rich forest area of ​​Kefizia, fed by various tributaries from Parnassus. It flows across the plain to the southwest. in the direction and in the west from the city it is diverted into numerous canals for irrigating vegetable gardens and plantations; the second stream - Ilissus begins at the sowing. the foot of Gimet, flows at the east. and south. sides of the city and to Yu.Z. from him is lost in the sands. In addition to them, it is necessary to mention another Kefis of the Eleusinian plain, about the Enoe stream cutting through the Marathon plain (so named after the ancient area lying north of Marathon) and about. Erasinos, flowing further to the south of the eastern coast, near the ancient area of ​​Arafen (now Rafina).

The soil of the country is almost entirely light, rather thin, stony limestone, not very suitable for the cultivation of wheat, more - for barley and grapes, but especially for olive and fig, and therefore the latter, both in ancient times and now, are the main products of the country and its subjects. export. Cattle breeding is still significant now, but in antiquity, attich. wool enjoyed great fame. In the mountains, not to mention the already exhausted silver. in the mines of Lavrion, excellent marble is mined; soil in many places, especially on the coastal strips going to the southwest. from the harbor of Piraeus and the Falernian bay and ending at the foothills of Kolias (now Gagios Kosmas), it gives excellent clay for dishes, and therefore pottery was a flourishing branch of industry in ancient Athens and its products were very widespread.

The population of the country, not to mention some of the Pelasgic elements of the prehistoric era and the huge number of foreigners who subsequently permanently resided in Athens, belonged in antiquity to the Ionian tribe. The inhabitants called themselves autochthonous, that is, indigenous, since their ancestors originated directly from the soil of the country and from time immemorial the land was in their continuous possession. Like all Ionic. The peoples of Africa fell into four tribes or classes (phylae): geleons (noble), hoplites (warriors), aegikoreans (shepherds in general and goats in particular), and ergadeis (farmers). According to legend, 12 independent cities or unions of communities have existed in the country since time immemorial. These were part of separate settlements that existed even later, such as Cecropia (later Athens), Eleusis, Dekelei and Afidna (the last two in the north of the country), Brauron (among east coast), Torikos (in the southernmost part of the eastern coast), Kyteros (location unknown), Sfethos and Kefisia, part of the unions of several villages) in the very south of the Athenian plain. According to legend, Theseus united these 12 communities into one political entity, the capital of which was Athens. The division of the people into 4 phylae remained both under the kings and under 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 families, partly in order 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 Cleisthenes canceled the ancient Ionian division by tribes and put in its place the division of the people into 10 phyla, each of which bore the name of ancient Attes. hero (Eponym). Each of these phyla embraced a certain number of communities (demes) located in different parts of the country. As a rule, each not very significant area constituted a special "demu", while large ones, like the cities of Athens and Brauron, split into several demu. The number of dem was not the same at different times: - at the beginning of the Christian era there were 371. Thanks to writers and inscriptions, the names of about 180 dem have come down to us, but the location of many is now impossible to establish. A list of them is given by Lik, "Die Demen von A." (translated by Westermann, Braunschweig, 1840); Ross, "Die Demen von A. und ihre Vertheilung unter die Phylen", Halle, 1846); G. Geltzer in the appendix to Westermann's book "Lehrbuch der Griech ischen Staatsalterthümer" (5th ed. Heidelb., 1875). The total number of citizens fluctuated, judging by the censuses, during the heyday of the state, to the Peloponnesian War, between 80-100 thousand. The number of those who stood under the auspices of the Metoiks reached 40,000, the number of slaves reached 400,000, so that the total number of free and non-free population exceeded 500,000. the number of phyla (10) with two new ones took place in 307 BC. Out of a desire to flatter Demetrius Poliorketa, the latter were named after him and the name of his father Antigonus - Antigonis and Demetriada. But the first was renamed in 265 BC in honor of the Egyptian king Ptolemy II Philadelphus in Ptolomais, the second in 200 in honor of the Pergamon king Attalus I in Attalis. Finally, under the emperor Hadrian, the 13th Phila was annexed and named by Adrianides after this benefactor of the city of Athens.

Politically, Albania was in ancient times the most centralized region of Greece. The main city was not only the seat of the administration, but the court, as well as the assemblies of the people, in whose hands, since the time of the democratic reforms initiated by Cleisthenes and imprisoned by Pericles, the supreme decision of all state affairs was concentrated. The significance that A., thanks to its main city of Athens, had in the political and cultural life Ancient Greece, can be correctly assessed only in connection with the presentation of the general history of Greece (see this text). Cf .. Bursian, "Geographie von Griechenland" (vol. I, Leipz., 1862); Curtius, "Erl ä uternder Text der 7 Karten zur Topographie von Athen" (Gotha, 1868); Curtius and Kaupert, "Karten von Attika" (2 tetras., Berlin, 1881). At present, Albania, together with Megara, Viotia, and the islands of Salamis (now Kuluri), forms the nomarchy of Attica and Viotia, which splits into 5 dioceses (A., Aegina, Thebes, Livadia, and Megara) and totals 6426 sq. km 185364 inhab. (1879). In the diocese (district) of Armenia (including the Salamis Islands), 116263, the rural population is engaged in agriculture, winemaking and cattle breeding, and partly also in silkworm breeding and tobacco growing. The Athenian plain is still rich in vast olive plantations.

The most ancient period in the historical life of Attica, which later became the main territory of one of the most powerful and flourishing states - Greece, found only faint reflection in the sources. Archaeological studies of Athens itself and the area surrounding them have revealed traces of ancient life dating back to the Neolithic era. The oldest burial found here so far dates back to the 3rd millennium BC. e. The handmade gray clay vessels found in this burial near the twisted skeleton are still very primitive.

During excavations on the Athenian acropolis, monuments of an incomparably higher culture were discovered in the form of the remains of a Mycenaean-type palace, and in a number of other places (Aharny, Erhia, Keramik, etc.) - burials of the same time with a large number of various objects, mainly ceramic products. including those not of local origin. All these monuments, dating back to the end bronze age, give reason to believe that one of the centers of the Mycenaean culture existed on the territory of Attica, modern to its other centers.

The subsequent, post-Mycenean period is characterized in Attica by the emergence of pottery of the so-called protogeometric and geometric styles. Some of the ceramic finds of this time, such as the famous, widely known, Dipylon vases, have survived to our time in excellent preservation.

Abundant finds of protogeometric and geometric ceramics have also been excavated on the northern and northwestern slopes of the Areopagus. It is noteworthy that imported items are almost never found in the cultural layers characterized by this kind of ceramic finds. This shows that the weakening of ties with other countries, typical for all of Greece in the post-Mycenaean period, characterizes Attica.

To characterize the Iron Age in Attica, it is interesting to find a burial discovered in 1949 on the territory of Athens, apparently of an artisan, in which about ten objects made of iron and a whetstone were found.

In the ancient literary tradition, only fragmentary information has been preserved about Attica of the most ancient times. Thucydides, Herodotus and in one of their dialogues Plato emphasize that the inhabitants of Attica were not aliens, but autochthons - the Attic land was not a stepmother for them, but a mother. This area, due to the scarcity of soil, did not attract conquerors, says Thucydides, the Dorian invasion did not affect it. Later, when the Athenian statehood flourished, immigrants from other places began to flock to Attica, multiplying its population and contributing to the growth of its well-being by their labor.

In the views of subsequent Athenian generations, the most ancient social institutions, preserved in the form of vestiges in a later and much better known time, were the result of the activities of a number of legendary kings. So, for example, the mythical king Ion divided, according to legend, the entire population of Attica into four clan phylae, each of which was divided into three phratries, in turn subdivided into 30 clans, there were 30 families in the clan, so that in total in ancient Attica there were 10,800 families.

The ruins of numerous fortifications that once surrounded ancestral settlements that were constantly at war with each other can serve as evidence of the former disunity of the population. Traces of this kind of fortifications are still found during excavations carried out in various points of Attica.

Thus, here we are faced with a social structure typical of the era of the tribal system, naturally generated by the entire set of historical conditions of that time. Ancient Attica was also characterized by another characteristic feature of the era of dominance of clan relations - clan and tribal fragmentation. According to Athenian legends, in ancient times there were 12 separate, isolated and independent clan communities on the territory of Attica.

The end of this fragmentation, according to legend, was also put by the mythical Athenian king Theseus, who united the population of this entire area around Athens and established one council common to all and one pritania. "From that time to the present," writes Thucydides, "the Athenians celebrate in honor of the goddess [Athena] a nationwide festival of synoykia [unification]."

In historical reality, the process of the unification of Attica, apparently, took at least two or three centuries. One might think that during the IX-VIII centuries. BC e. Paralia, the coastal part of Attica, joined Athens as a result of a tense struggle. After that, the local cult of the god Poseidon was transferred to the Athenian acropolis. Following this, Diakria, a mountainous region in the north of the country, was annexed. From here the cult of Theseus was transferred to Athens. The southwestern part of Attica - the region of Eleusis with its famous temple goddess Demeter.

Judging by the hymn in honor of Demeter that has come down to us, Eleusis in the 7th century. BC e. still continued to maintain independence and, defending it, waged a fierce struggle with the Athenians. Athenian synekism was, thus, a long process, due to significant changes in the structure of the former social relations. The development of the productive forces of society and the relations of production associated with them gave rise to the need for associations of a broader nature, going beyond the boundaries of the previous tribal organizations.

By the 7th century. BC e. in Attica, the prerequisites for the formation of a class system and a state in it arise. For its study, we already have an incomparably wider range of sources. The first place among them is undoubtedly occupied by Aristotle's Athenian Polity, long considered lost forever and unexpectedly regained in the form of a manuscript on four sheets of papyrus found among other papyri brought to the British Museum from Egypt in 1890.

Aristotle's Athenian Polity is the only surviving work that gives a complete picture of the political history of Athens from the 7th century onwards. BC e. Aristotle is substantially supplemented by evidence of individual events in the early Athenian history of Herodotus, Thucydides, Diodorus Siculus, Plutarch and other ancient authors, as well as some, albeit few, inscriptions, coins and archaeological material.

Based on all these data, it can be concluded that the Athenian community at the beginning of the period under review was mainly agricultural. Crafts and trade were relatively poorly developed. Nevertheless, the social and property stratification has reached a significant depth. The powerful clan aristocracy - the Eupatrides ("descended from noble fathers") concentrated the best lands in their hands.

A significant part of the rest of the population turned out to be dependent on them. “The poor,” writes Aristotle, “were enslaved not only themselves, but also their children and their wives. They were called pelates and six-loaders, because they cultivated the fields of the rich on such lease terms. All the land in general was in the hands of a few. At the same time, if these poor people did not pay rent, they could be taken into bondage both themselves and their children. And loans were secured by personal bondage up to the time of Solon. "

In other words, the Athenians of the 7th century. there was a harsh debt law, well known to antiquity, by virtue of which the debtor was responsible to the creditor not only with his property, but also with personal freedom and the freedom of his family members; insolvent debtors turned into slaves to their creditors. The labor demand of large, attic-scale aristocratic landowners was thus satisfied mainly by the labor of the poor dependent on them and the labor of slaves recruited through debt bondage from among the previously free members of the same community. This undermined the strength of the community.

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How to get there

It is easier to go to Attica from Athens, where regular international flights will take you from anywhere in the world. And then the acquaintance with the regions of this fertile part of the country can be continued with the help of a fairly comfortable system public transport: buses and ISAP (train).

In Athens, the suburban transport terminal is located at 100 Kiffissou Street. You can get there by bus no. 051, which departs from the stop at the intersection of Zinonos and Menandrou Streets (near Omonia Square). The bus runs every 15 minutes from 5 am to 11:30 pm.

In Attica, routes are operated by KTEL Attikis, which operates two bus stations:

• West Attica - near the Acropolis next to the Fiseos ISAP station,
• East Attica - on Egyptian Square (intersection of Alexandra Avenue and Patision St., the nearest ISAP station "Victoria").

Search for flights to Athens (closest airport to Attica)

Weather in Attica

It is best to go to Attica in August - October, when the sun no longer bakes, but gently warms, and the fruits are already ripe.

Beach resorts of Attica

So, the ticket is bought, the hotel is booked, you set foot on the ancient land trampled by the heroes of myths and legends, and we proceed to the first part of our plan: tanning, water procedures and languid idleness at the edge of the sea.

The ideal place for this is the so-called Athenian riviera: Paleo Faliro, Glyfada, Kavuri, Vouliagmeni, Vula. And immediately the thought warms that you will lie down, smeared with aromatic oils, on the sands of the Apollo coast, the coast that includes these areas. Get used to the pretentious and slightly library dusty Greek names. Rest assured that in most cases, instead of the expected bare rocks and ascetic huts, you will see luxurious yacht clubs, well-maintained upscale beaches, expensive hotels and the modern nightclubs that dot this part of Greece.

Vouliagmeni

Glyfada

A great place for a European holiday - Glyfada, 15 km from Athens, with developed infrastructure, vibrant nightlife and golf courses.

Lagonissi

If you are relaxing with your family, it is better to settle in a small cozy resort town Lagonissi on the shores of the Aegean Sea. Calm atmosphere, sandy beach and walking through shady lemon groves compensate for the lack of vitamin D and serotonin (mood hormone).

Loutraki

To enhance the benefits of "Greek therapy" for tired travelers will help the Loutraki hydropathic establishments. Combination of mild climate, nature and healing power mineral waters, from which you, like Aphrodite from the foam of the sea, will be born again, will give you the opportunity to restore strength and restore peace of mind. There are waters for every taste: chlorine, alkaline, radon; temperature - +30 ... + 32 ° С.

Stage of the Triathlon Cup in Loutraki

Sounion

But those who are chasing the novelties of cosmetology should pay attention to the Sounion resort. Here you can spend a lot of time trying unusual healing and rejuvenating treatments using Greek herbs, flowers, minerals, sea salt and algae. Relax your body in the aquaelixir hydro-toning pool or relaxing jacuzzi.

Popular hotels in Attica

Maps of Attica

Kitchen

The cuisine of Greece is so varied and colorful that your every date with it will open up new flavor horizons for you. And with Greek wine, the receptors will become even more sensitive. On a hot afternoon, the drink “himos portokali” - fresh orange juice, loved by the Greeks - will help to cope with the feeling of thirst. The cost of a glass is 2-4 EUR. Prices on the page are for October 2018.

The best way to get to know the mentality local residents- is to spend an evening or two in a traditional tavern, where Greeks, open and welcoming people, lively spend their evenings, preferring noisy communication and dancing until the morning to TV and home gatherings.

Guides in Attica

Entertainment and attractions of Attica

After an intensive course of sunbathing and water treatments after gaining strength, you can proceed to the second part of the vacation program - immersion in the history of Greece. To study all the riddles and secrets hidden in the ruins and monuments of ancient architecture of this country, a lifetime is not enough - so great is the heritage ancient civilization inherited by the inhabitants of the sunny edge. But you can touch some of them, and in a literal sense.

Athens

Shopping is very developed in Athens. This pleasure will become dear in the Kolonaki area, economical and practical - on Ermou Street, where the best shops of Greek companies are located. In the shops of Metropoleos street you will find furs and jewelry. Their clients will not be missed shopping streets Aeolou, Patision, Monastiraki area and Afinas street, famous for their markets and bazaars.

But antiques, souvenirs, handicrafts are waiting for their buyers in the area of ​​the old part of the city, on Plaka. You can also refresh yourself here by choosing one of the many Greek taverns near the Lysicrates memorial. To describe the atmosphere of this square, it is enough to imagine the Moscow Arbat or Parisian Montmartre. Distinctive features: a leisurely endless stream of tourists, national music coming from overcrowded cafes, antique tubs of olive trees displayed along the boulevards, an atmosphere of a relaxed holiday.

The night panorama of Athens sparkling with lights is a reward for those who reached the top of the Lycabettus hill, which is crowned by the white chapel of St. George. To save time and energy, it is better to use public transport by purchasing a single bus or trolleybus ticket, or by going down the metro.

The cost of a single ticket, which must be validated within 70 minutes from the date of purchase, is 1.4 EUR, a daily ticket costs 4.5 EUR, a 5-day ticket - 10 EUR. Trying to ride a hare is risky, the penalty for such a prank is too high - 60 times the cost of the ticket.

Daphni monastery

Having studied Athens, let's turn our inquisitive gaze to the suburban areas. 11 km from Athens is the Daphni Monastery - a monument of Byzantine religious architecture in Greece. Its history is unique. Created as a sanctuary for Apollo of Daphnia, the monastery welcomed Christian pilgrims into its arms, then was used as a fortress wall and finally became a psychiatric hospital. Now the restored monastery has the status of a monument. You can visit it daily from 08:30 to 15:00.

Temple of Poseidon

The second shining gem in the collection of Attica attractions is the Temple of Poseidon at Cape Sounion. A powerful giant, framed by slender columns, symbolizes the harmonious union of land and sea. Sailors and rulers of Greece made sacrifices to their patrons, believing in the connection between ordinary mortals and the inhabitants of Olympus.

Temple of Demeter

Another recommended place to visit is the Temple of Demeter at Eleusis. Mysterious rites dedicated to the cult of the goddess Demeter and her daughter Persephone were performed here in ancient times. The museum can be visited daily from 08:30 to 15:00, except Mondays and holidays.

Since ancient times, Attica has been the core around which Ancient Greece was formed and developed. Most of the heroes of myths and legends, if you pay attention to where they come from, are from Attica.
In Attica, history merges harmoniously with myths. Even ancient historians tried to prove that the heroes of myths are real historical characters. The first king of Attica is the legendary Kekrop, who had two snake bodies instead of legs.He is credited with very specific deeds, such as the construction of the Athenian Acropolis and the first sanctuary of Athena, and is also approximately known when he ruled - 3600 years ago. Myths say that it was during his time there was the famous dispute over Attica between Poseidon and Athena. The ancient Greek historian, the Athenian Philochorus (c. 345-260 BC) wrote that Cekrop settled the inhabitants of Attica in 12 cities in order to save the Carians and Boeotians from attacks.
Another famous character in myths is the tenth Athenian king Theseus, who managed to rally Attica. The very birth of Theseus is mysterious - whether he is the son of King Aegeus, or Poseidon himself. It was he who killed the Minotaur monster in Crete, got out of the Labyrinth, married the queen of the Amazons, and performed many more various feats. The historian Eusebius of Caesarea (c. 265 - c. 340) indicates the reign of Theseus from 1234 to 1205 BC. e. And the historian Plutarch (c. 45 - c. 127) writes about Theseus: "He gathered all the inhabitants of Attica, making them a single people, citizens of one city, whereas before they were scattered."
"Attica" is translated as "coastal country". The proximity of the sea determined the entire life of its inhabitants. The vast and convenient Piraeus harbor was already in the 6th century. BC e. used by the Athenians for the parking of the military and merchant fleet. The inhabitants of Athens rarely ate meat; they preferred fish, which, moreover, was more accessible and cheaper.
The entire civilian population of Attica received the title of Athenians in the 7th century. BC. - Athens became an increasingly influential city, iconic and shopping center.
It is precisely the courage and quickness of the Athenians, together with the profitable geographic location allowed them to take a leading position among the city-states of ancient Greece and subjugate the whole of Attica. After all, there is a constant shortage fresh water did not allow for high yields - and Athens depended on the delivery of bread. The lands in Attica were rarely fertile, they constantly had to be cleared of stones and fertilized. There was even an Athenian law prohibiting tenants from "stealing soil from the fields" on pain of severe punishment.
Trade, shipbuilding, fishing and excellent olive oil are the foundations that helped establish Athens in the ancient world. And also - the extraction of marble, which was exported even outside Greece, and silver. Yes, and the highly valued Attic salt, which was mined on an industrial scale and used for salting fish.
The remains of amphorae with the hallmarks of the Attica pottery workshops are still found by archaeologists in the most remote corners of the ancient world. In this universal container of antiquity, which was produced in huge quantities from excellent Attic clay, fish, wine, and olive oil were transported. Once Piraeus could rightfully be called the largest port in the world - it is still the largest port in Greece.

general information

Attica, an administrative region in Greece.
Administrative divisions: 4 nomes.
Capital:, 745 514 people. (2001)
Language: Greek.
Religion: Orthodox Christianity.
Ethnic composition: 95% are Greeks, 5% are of other nationalities.
Currency unit: Euro.
Largest cities: Athens, Piraeus, Kalithea, Peristerio.
The main seaports: Piraeus, Aegina, Metana.
The most important airport: international airport "Eleftherios Venizelos" (Athens).
Largest rivers: Kefisos, Ilissos.
Largest lake: Marathon.

Numbers

Area: 3808 km 2.
Population: 3,841,408
Population density: 1008.8 people / km 2.
The most high point: Mount Parnita, 1413 m.

Economy

The largest transport hub in Greece: Athens.
Industry: food, light industry, marble mining.
Agriculture: cultivation of olives, fig trees, grapes, cattle breeding.
Service industry: financial services, tourism.

Climate and weather

Mediterranean, average temperature January - + 10ºС, July - + 27ºС, average annual precipitation is 416 mm.

sights

■ Athens:, National Archaeological Museum, Byzantine Museum, Archaeological Museum The Athenian Agora, Museum of Cycladic and Ancient Greek Art;
■ Monasteries: Daphnion, Kesariani.
■ Archaeological complexes: Ramnus, Vravona, Trizina, Eleusis. Marathon, Eleuthera, Egostena;
■ Temples: Poseidon and Athens at Cape Sounion.

Curious facts

■ In Latin there is such an expression - "Attic salt". This means a particularly subtle wit - a kind of "seasoning" of speech. Eloquence "with a grain of salt", that is, figuratively and witty, was highly valued in Rome. But what does “Attic salt” have to do with it? The expression came from the fact that the best masters of oratory were from Attica. Even a great orator like Mark Tullius Cicero (106-43 BC) recognized this fact. And salt in Attica was mined by evaporation from sea water, and it turned out fine, of high quality, for which it was especially appreciated. These two circumstances have created the expression "Attic salt".
■ The Greek myth describes how the gods, Poseidon and Athena, fought for power over Attica. Poseidon, the god of the seas, gave people a source of water by striking the rock with a trident. And the goddess of war and wisdom, Athena, thrust her spear into the ground, and it turned into a sacred tree - the olive gods recognized the gift of Athena as more valuable, she became the patroness of Attica, and in honor of the goddess the city-state was named Athena.