Athens: Difference between revisions
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In the 5th century BCE, Athens was a city-state which rose to prominence under a highly distinct and intricate political system known as democracy. In an alliance with other ''poleis'', most notably [[Sparta]], Athens defended Greece from the [[Persia]]n [[Greco-Persian Wars|invasions]] in the first half of the century following which it emerged as the leader of the [[Delian League]].<ref name="The Greek Reaction" /> | In the 5th century BCE, Athens was a city-state which rose to prominence under a highly distinct and intricate political system known as democracy. In an alliance with other ''poleis'', most notably [[Sparta]], Athens defended Greece from the [[Persia]]n [[Greco-Persian Wars|invasions]] in the first half of the century following which it emerged as the leader of the [[Delian League]].<ref name="The Greek Reaction" /> | ||
In 490 BCE, the Athenians, led by the soldier-statesman [[Miltiades]], defeated the first invasion of the Persians under [[Darius I of Persia|Darius I]] at the [[Battle of Marathon]].<ref name="The Greek Reaction">''[[Discovery Tour: Ancient Greece]]'' – [[Tours: Battle of Marathon]]: "The Greek Reaction"</ref> In 480 BCE, the Persians returned under Darius's son [[Xerxes I of Persia|Xerxes]]. When a small Greek force holding the pass of [[Hot Gates of Thermopylai|Thermopylae]] was defeated, the Persians proceeded to capture an evacuated Athens. The city of Athens got captured and sacked twice by the Persians within one year after [[Battle of Thermopylae|Thermopylae]].<ref>''[[Discovery Tour: Ancient Greece]]'' – [[Tours: Thermopylai]]: "The Greek Army's Retreat"</ref> During which, many of the archaic structures of the Akropolis were burnt down by the invading Persian armies. Most notably, was the {{Wiki|Old Temple of Athena|Temple of Athena Polias}}.<ref name="Akropolis Origins" /> In 479 BCE, the Athenians and Spartans, with their allies, defeated the Persian army at the [[Battle of Plataia]].<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Odyssey]]'' – [[Historical Locations]] – Boeotia: Battleground of Plataia</ref> | In 490 BCE, the Athenians, led by the soldier-statesman [[Miltiades]], defeated the first invasion of the Persians under [[Darius I of Persia|Darius I]] at the [[Battle of Marathon]].<ref name="The Greek Reaction">''[[Discovery Tour: Ancient Greece]]'' – [[Tours: Battle of Marathon]]: "The Greek Reaction"</ref> In 480 BCE, the Persians returned under Darius's son [[Xerxes I of Persia|Xerxes]] and backed by the [[Cult of Kosmos]], a secret organization seeking to unify Greece.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Odyssey]]'' – [[Bully the Bullies]]</ref> When a small Greek force holding the pass of [[Hot Gates of Thermopylai|Thermopylae]] was defeated, the Persians proceeded to capture an evacuated Athens. The city of Athens got captured and sacked twice by the Persians within one year after [[Battle of Thermopylae|Thermopylae]].<ref>''[[Discovery Tour: Ancient Greece]]'' – [[Tours: Thermopylai]]: "The Greek Army's Retreat"</ref> During which, many of the archaic structures of the Akropolis were burnt down by the invading Persian armies. Most notably, was the {{Wiki|Old Temple of Athena|Temple of Athena Polias}}.<ref name="Akropolis Origins" /> In 479 BCE, the Athenians and Spartans, with their allies, defeated the Persian army at the [[Battle of Plataia]].<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Odyssey]]'' – [[Historical Locations]] – Boeotia: Battleground of Plataia</ref> | ||
====Golden Age==== | |||
From this position, Athens began to assert its hegemony over the other Greek city-states, often aggressively. Popularly known as the Golden Age of Athens, this period of Athenian ascendancy witnessed an explosion of cultural and intellectual developments, with philosophers such as [[Sokrates]] and his pupil [[Plato]] leaving a lasting legacy on the future [[Europe]]an academic tradition. Major milestones regarded as the origins of European fields include the works of [[Herodotus]] and [[Hippokrates]], called the "Fathers of History and Medicine" by Western scholars respectively.<ref name="ACOd">''Assassin's Creed: Odyssey''</ref> | From this position, Athens began to assert its hegemony over the other Greek city-states, often aggressively. Popularly known as the Golden Age of Athens, this period of Athenian ascendancy witnessed an explosion of cultural and intellectual developments, with philosophers such as [[Sokrates]] and his pupil [[Plato]] leaving a lasting legacy on the future [[Europe]]an academic tradition. Major milestones regarded as the origins of European fields include the works of [[Herodotus]] and [[Hippokrates]], called the "Fathers of History and Medicine" by Western scholars respectively.<ref name="ACOd">''Assassin's Creed: Odyssey''</ref> | ||
Under the leadership of the general [[Perikles]], the Golden Age entered its final stage, with his partner [[Aspasia]], a high society ''[[courtesan|hetaera]]'', hosting numerous social events for contemporary artists, philosophers, and politicians.<ref name=" | Under the leadership of the general [[Perikles]], the Golden Age entered its final stage, with his partner [[Aspasia]], a high society ''[[courtesan|hetaera]]'', hosting numerous social events for contemporary artists, philosophers, and politicians. In secret, Aspasia was the [[Ghost of Kosmos]], leading the Cult to unify Greece.<ref name="Fresh Start">''[[Assassin's Creed: Odyssey]]'' – [[A Fresh Start]]</ref> | ||
====Peloponnesian War==== | ====Peloponnesian War==== | ||
Those city-states under Athens' suzerainty, eventually started to resent its dominance, and in 431 BCE, a rivalry between Athens and the militaristic Sparta of the [[Peloponnesian League]] erupted into open warfare. Wary of the Spartans' infamous reputation as the best warriors of Greece, Perikles refused to meet the enemy in battle, instead having his forces turtle within the city's walls, putting him at odds with | Those city-states under Athens' suzerainty, eventually started to resent its dominance, and in 431 BCE, a rivalry between Athens and the militaristic Sparta of the [[Peloponnesian League]] erupted into open warfare. As the conflict grew, the Cult of Kosmos infiltrated the two sides, the [[Delian League (Cult of Kosmos)|cultists of the Delian League]] were led by the Athenian statesman [[Kleon]]. Aspasia began to loose control of the cult as the members followed the [[Hybrid]] [[Alexios]] and searched power through chaos.<ref name="Fresh Start"/> | ||
Wary of the Spartans' infamous reputation as the best warriors of Greece, Perikles refused to meet the enemy in battle, instead having his forces turtle within the city's walls, putting him at odds with Kleon. The Cult tried to diminish Perikles' influence to gain control of the city.<ref name="ACOd" /> | |||
[[File:ACOD Perikles's Symposium Memory 03.png|thumb|240px|Kassandra at Perikles' Symposium, 431 BCE.]] | [[File:ACOD Perikles's Symposium Memory 03.png|thumb|240px|Kassandra at Perikles' Symposium, 431 BCE.]] | ||
In May of that year, the Spartan ''[[Mercenary|misthios]]'' [[Kassandra]] traveled to Athens on the suggestion of [[Herodotos]], who suggested she meet Perikles. There, Perikles requested Kassandra to help him with a number of errands in exchange for the information that she needs.<ref name="Welcome">''[[Assassin's Creed: Odyssey]]'' – [[Welcome to Athens]]</ref> Completing the errands for Perikes; Kassandra rescued his friend [[Metiochos]],<ref name="Venom">''[[Assassin's Creed: Odyssey]]'' – [[A Venomous Encounter]]</ref> escorted the sculptor [[Phidias]] safely to the southern island of [[Seriphos]],<ref name="Escape">''[[Assassin's Creed: Odyssey]]'' – [[Escape from Athens]]</ref> and also helped influence the [[Ostracism|ostracization]] vote of the philosopher [[Anaxagoras]].<ref name="Ostracized">''[[Assassin's Creed: Odyssey]]'' – [[Ostracized]]</ref> Afterwards, Kassandra was invited to a symposium hosted by Perikles. It was at this symposium Kassandra met with many influential individuals including: the statesmen [[Alkibiades]]; the playwrites [[Aristophanes]] and [[Hermippos]]; and the sophists [[Protagoras]] and [[Thrasymachos]]. After speaking to several of them, Kassandra obtained the names of several people who may have encountered Myrrine at some point in the past. She set out from Athens to meet them.<ref name="Symposium">''[[Assassin's Creed: Odyssey]]'' – [[Perikles's Symposium]]</ref> | In May of that year, the Spartan ''[[Mercenary|misthios]]'' [[Kassandra]] traveled to Athens on the suggestion of [[Herodotos]], who suggested she meet Perikles as she wanted to fight the Cult and reunite her family. There, Perikles requested Kassandra to help him with a number of errands in exchange for the information that she needs.<ref name="Welcome">''[[Assassin's Creed: Odyssey]]'' – [[Welcome to Athens]]</ref> Completing the errands for Perikes; Kassandra rescued his friend [[Metiochos]],<ref name="Venom">''[[Assassin's Creed: Odyssey]]'' – [[A Venomous Encounter]]</ref> escorted the sculptor [[Phidias]] safely to the southern island of [[Seriphos]],<ref name="Escape">''[[Assassin's Creed: Odyssey]]'' – [[Escape from Athens]]</ref> and also helped influence the [[Ostracism|ostracization]] vote of the philosopher [[Anaxagoras]].<ref name="Ostracized">''[[Assassin's Creed: Odyssey]]'' – [[Ostracized]]</ref> Afterwards, Kassandra was invited to a symposium hosted by Perikles. It was at this symposium Kassandra met with many influential individuals including: the statesmen [[Alkibiades]]; the playwrites [[Aristophanes]] and [[Hermippos]]; and the sophists [[Protagoras]] and [[Thrasymachos]]. After speaking to several of them, Kassandra obtained the names of several people who may have encountered Myrrine at some point in the past. She set out from Athens to meet them.<ref name="Symposium">''[[Assassin's Creed: Odyssey]]'' – [[Perikles's Symposium]]</ref> | ||
[[File:ACOD Abandoned By the Gods.png|thumb|240px|left|Kassandra returning to a plague struck Athens, 429 BCE]] | [[File:ACOD Abandoned By the Gods.png|thumb|240px|left|Kassandra returning to a plague struck Athens, 429 BCE]] | ||
Revision as of 23:40, 24 January 2024
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Ezio, my friend! How may I be of service? This article is in desperate need of a revamp. Please improve it in any way necessary in order for it to achieve a higher standard of quality in accordance with our Manual of Style. |
Athens is the capital and largest city of Greece. Situated at the heart of the Attika peninsula, it is considered the birthplace of democracy, and in the 5th century BCE, was the preeminent city-state in the region, wielding hegemony over the Hellenic civilization.
After a period of cultural flourishing during which the origin of much of Western intellectual thought was established, Athens was engulfed in the Peloponnesian War against its militaristic rival, Sparta. Centuries later with the fall of the Byzantine Empire, Athens came under the control of the Ottoman Empire where Assassin influence was firmly established.
History
Foundation
Athens has been inhabited as early as the Neolithic period, and by 1412 BCE, the settlement had become an important center of the Mycenaean civilization and the Akropolis was the site of a major Mycenaean fortress. From the 7th century, more stone buildings were being made, though many of these structures were not built to last. The city's foundation myth tells of the gods Poseidon and Athena fighting for patronage of the city, eventually Athena won and the city was named after her.[1]
Classical Athens
Greco-Persian Wars
In the 5th century BCE, Athens was a city-state which rose to prominence under a highly distinct and intricate political system known as democracy. In an alliance with other poleis, most notably Sparta, Athens defended Greece from the Persian invasions in the first half of the century following which it emerged as the leader of the Delian League.[2]
In 490 BCE, the Athenians, led by the soldier-statesman Miltiades, defeated the first invasion of the Persians under Darius I at the Battle of Marathon.[2] In 480 BCE, the Persians returned under Darius's son Xerxes and backed by the Cult of Kosmos, a secret organization seeking to unify Greece.[3] When a small Greek force holding the pass of Thermopylae was defeated, the Persians proceeded to capture an evacuated Athens. The city of Athens got captured and sacked twice by the Persians within one year after Thermopylae.[4] During which, many of the archaic structures of the Akropolis were burnt down by the invading Persian armies. Most notably, was the Temple of Athena Polias.[1] In 479 BCE, the Athenians and Spartans, with their allies, defeated the Persian army at the Battle of Plataia.[5]
Golden Age
From this position, Athens began to assert its hegemony over the other Greek city-states, often aggressively. Popularly known as the Golden Age of Athens, this period of Athenian ascendancy witnessed an explosion of cultural and intellectual developments, with philosophers such as Sokrates and his pupil Plato leaving a lasting legacy on the future European academic tradition. Major milestones regarded as the origins of European fields include the works of Herodotus and Hippokrates, called the "Fathers of History and Medicine" by Western scholars respectively.[6]
Under the leadership of the general Perikles, the Golden Age entered its final stage, with his partner Aspasia, a high society hetaera, hosting numerous social events for contemporary artists, philosophers, and politicians. In secret, Aspasia was the Ghost of Kosmos, leading the Cult to unify Greece.[7]
Peloponnesian War
Those city-states under Athens' suzerainty, eventually started to resent its dominance, and in 431 BCE, a rivalry between Athens and the militaristic Sparta of the Peloponnesian League erupted into open warfare. As the conflict grew, the Cult of Kosmos infiltrated the two sides, the cultists of the Delian League were led by the Athenian statesman Kleon. Aspasia began to loose control of the cult as the members followed the Hybrid Alexios and searched power through chaos.[7]
Wary of the Spartans' infamous reputation as the best warriors of Greece, Perikles refused to meet the enemy in battle, instead having his forces turtle within the city's walls, putting him at odds with Kleon. The Cult tried to diminish Perikles' influence to gain control of the city.[6]

In May of that year, the Spartan misthios Kassandra traveled to Athens on the suggestion of Herodotos, who suggested she meet Perikles as she wanted to fight the Cult and reunite her family. There, Perikles requested Kassandra to help him with a number of errands in exchange for the information that she needs.[8] Completing the errands for Perikes; Kassandra rescued his friend Metiochos,[9] escorted the sculptor Phidias safely to the southern island of Seriphos,[10] and also helped influence the ostracization vote of the philosopher Anaxagoras.[11] Afterwards, Kassandra was invited to a symposium hosted by Perikles. It was at this symposium Kassandra met with many influential individuals including: the statesmen Alkibiades; the playwrites Aristophanes and Hermippos; and the sophists Protagoras and Thrasymachos. After speaking to several of them, Kassandra obtained the names of several people who may have encountered Myrrine at some point in the past. She set out from Athens to meet them.[12]

In Autumn two years later, Athens was hit by a deadly plague which left numerous thousands dead. Perikles himself had also contracted the illness, talking with Aspasia she revealed that she sent Phoibe on an errand but she was yet to return. Kassandra left in search of her.[13] However, Kassandra was too late to save her young friend. She had been struck down by Cultist guards. In anger, Kassandra killed them all. She then headed to the Parthenon to find Aspasia, with Hippokrates and Sokrates following close behind.[14] Kassandra made her way up to the Parthenon, meeting Aspasia outside. Following a commotion inside the Partenon, the four of them entered only to find Deimos killing Perikles. After mourning her lover's death, Aspasia left Athens with Kassandra to find her mother. Hippokrates and Sokrates agreed to stay behind and help the people. With the death of Perikles, Kleon was able to seize power of the polis.[15]

Following the Battle of Pylos in the Summer of 425 BCE, Kassandra was captured and held in an Athenian prison. When approached by Deimos, she had a moment to try and reason with him. When the coast was clear, Sokrates and Barnabas arrived to help Kassandra break out. Although she was already ahead of them.[16] Convening with the Periklean Circle at least a month later, a gathering of Perikles' closest friends, Kassandra and the Circle hatched a plan to discredit Kleon.[17] The playwright Aristophanes suggested a play to mock Kleon, however, Aristophanes' actor Thespis had gone missing and so Kassandra helped locate him.[18] However, Thespis refused to act without his muse. Finding out that his muse, Aikaterine, was being threatened by the Cultist Rhexenor, Kassandra dealt with him and Aikaterine was free to resume being Thespis' muse.[19] Kassandra then met with Sokrates at the Pnyx and helped convince the public of Kleon's wrongdoings.[20] She then returned to Perikles' Residence speak to Aristophanes and Sokrates after their successful attempt to damage Kleon's reputation. Kassandra received word that Brasidas had survived the Battle of Pylos and sought her aid for the upcoming Battle of Amphipolis, which she accepted and promptly travelled to.[21]
Ottoman era
With the Fall of Constantinople in 1453 and the end of the Byzantine Empire, the Ottoman Empire entered Greece as its new ruler. Resentment against the new Turkish regime remained fresh as late as 1511, when the local Assassins struggled to maintain public faith given their transnational policies.[22]
That year, with Ezio Auditore da Firenze, Mentor of the Italian Brotherhood taking over operations in Constantinople, Ottoman Assassins were sent to Athens to revitalize the Greek branch. These Turkish Assassins were instrumental in helping their Greek counterparts reestablish the Athenians' trust by convincing the common people that their cause transcended national sentiments, prioritizing humanity as a whole.[22]
Not long after, Templar agents began paying Ottoman soldiers for the goods of wealthy Athenians, thereby instigating them into open robbery of these citizens' homes. The explicit order of Sultan Bayezid II against such raiding could not dissuade these soldiers from the promise of handsome profits, leading to the intervention of the Ottoman Assassins. After these Assassins defended the Athenians from further robbery, they discovered the Templar background of the affair and assassinated the leaders behind it.[23][24]
Subsequently, remnants of Isu technology were uncovered beneath the acropolis. In response, further Turkish agents were sent by Ezio to guard the site while Assassin scholars conducted a thorough survey.[25]
By the end of 1512, Athens was fully under the control of the Assassin Brotherhood as with the other major cities in the Mediterranean.[26]
Geography
Characterized by a dry summer climate, the environment of Athens is the definition of the Greek atmosphere. The city is divided into thirty districts, including the Pottery District called Kerameikos.[6]
Economy
During the 5th century BCE, the Athenian economy was largely fueled by taxes paid by city-states it held suzerainty over as the head of the Delian League.[6]
Behind the scenes
The artwork used for Attika on Ubisoft's Assassin's Creed: Odyssey site is the concept art by Hugo Puzzuoli, albeit featuring Alexios.
The Animus Next, the Assassin's Creed series promotion website for the 15th anniversary, presents the native name as "Aθhna".[27] Not "Αθήνα" in Ancient Greek.
Gallery
-
Athens during the plague in 429 BCE
-
Temple of Hephaistos at night
-
Symbol of Athens
-
Concept art of Athens by Hugo Puzzuoli
-
Concept art of Athens by Hugo Puzzuoli
-
Artwork from Assassin's Creed: Atlas
Appearances
- Assassin's Creed III (first mentioned) (mentioned in Database entry only)
- Assassin's Creed: Revelations (mentioned only)
- Assassin's Creed: Odyssey (first appearance)
- Assassin's Creed: Odyssey novel
- Discovery Tour: Ancient Greece
- Assassin's Creed: Rebellion (mentioned only)
- Spears for Hire (mentioned only)
- For Democracy! (mentioned only)
- Assassin's Creed: Where's the Assassin? (non-canonical appearance)
- Echoes of History (mentioned only)
- Assassin's Creed: Nexus VR
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Discovery Tour: Ancient Greece – Tours: The Akropolis of Athens: "Akropolis Origins"
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Discovery Tour: Ancient Greece – Tours: Battle of Marathon: "The Greek Reaction"
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Odyssey – Bully the Bullies
- ↑ Discovery Tour: Ancient Greece – Tours: Thermopylai: "The Greek Army's Retreat"
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Odyssey – Historical Locations – Boeotia: Battleground of Plataia
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 Assassin's Creed: Odyssey
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Assassin's Creed: Odyssey – A Fresh Start
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Odyssey – Welcome to Athens
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Odyssey – A Venomous Encounter
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Odyssey – Escape from Athens
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Odyssey – Ostracized
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Odyssey – Perikles's Symposium
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Odyssey – Abandoned By the Gods
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Odyssey – And the Streets Run Red
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Odyssey – Athens's Last Hope
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Odyssey – Doing Time
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Odyssey – The Resistance
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Odyssey – An Actor's Life for Me
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Odyssey – A-Musing Tale
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Odyssey – Unearthing the Truth
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Odyssey – The Knights
- ↑ 22.0 22.1 Assassin's Creed: Revelations – Mediterranean Defense: "For The People, Part I"
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Revelations – Mediterranean Defense: "For The People, Part II"
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Revelations – Mediterranean Defense: "For The People, Part III"
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Revelations – Mediterranean Defense: "First Civ Problems"
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Revelations – Mediterranean Defense
- ↑ Animus Next – 431 BCE, Ancient Greek during the Peloponnesian War: "Athens in the 5th century BC"
