Athens in the Ancient Sources: 173 Passages in Greek & English

Hesiod (1)

Hesiod, Fragments 1.72–85Athens, Crete and central GreeceThese fragments name Butes, Breyon and Cychreus, and then Minos, Androgeos and Ariadne. They end with the families of Eurytus, Autolycus, Locrus, Ileus, Clymene and Thoas.

Homer (4)

Homer, Homerica 6.73–85Contest of Homer and Hesiod: Homer's wanderings and deathAfter losing the victory Homer travels from place to place reciting his poems, among them the Thebais, the Epigoni, the Odyssey and the Iliad, and he is entertained at Athens by Medon. At Argos his verses on the Achaeans win him a bronze statue, and at Delos he recites the Hymn to Apollo. Some fishermen then pose him a riddle about their lice that he cannot solve, and he remembers the oracle and composes his own epitaph.
Homer, Iliad 2.484–558The Catalogue of Ships (1): Boeotia to SalamisThe poet invokes the Muses, who are goddesses and know all things, since he could not name the whole host without them, and begins the Catalogue of the Achaean ships with the Boeotians. He lists the contingents from Orchomenus, Phocis, Locris and Euboea, and then the Athenians under Menestheus and Ajax's twelve ships from Salamis.
Homer, Odyssey 3.201–328Nestor tells of Agamemnon's deathTelemachus wishes that the gods would give him such vengeance, and Nestor tells how Aegisthus seduced Clytemnestra while Agamemnon was away and killed the king on his return. Orestes came home in the eighth year and killed Aegisthus. Nestor tells of Menelaus' stormy journey home, and urges Telemachus to go to Menelaus in Sparta, offering his sons as guides.
Homer, Odyssey 7.78–132The palace and gardens of AlcinousAthena leaves for Athens, and Odysseus stands before the high-roofed house of Alcinous, with its bronze walls, golden doors and silver posts, and the golden and silver dogs that guard it. Inside, seats along the walls are spread with robes and fifty women work at the household tasks. Outside lies a great orchard of pear, pomegranate, apple, fig and olive trees that bear fruit all the year round, with a vineyard and two springs.

Apollodorus (4)

Apollodorus, The Library (Bibliotheca), with the Epitome 3.15.1–3.16.2Erechtheus, Aegeus, Minos's war on Athens and the birth of TheseusPandion's sons divide his inheritance and Erechtheus becomes king; his daughters include Procris, killed accidentally by Cephalus, and Orithyia, carried off by Boreas. The section covers Cleopatra and Phineus, Eumolpus and the war with Erechtheus, who sacrifices his daughter, and Aegeus and his marriages. Minos, to avenge Androgeus, takes Megara through Scylla's treachery and imposes the tribute of youths and maidens for the Minotaur. It ends with the birth of Theseus to Aethra and his first two labours, where the surviving text of the Library breaks off.
Apollodorus, The Library (Bibliotheca), with the Epitome E.1.1–24Theseus and the Minotaur; Daedalus, Phaedra and PirithousThe Epitome picks up Theseus' labours with the sow of Crommyon and goes on through Sciron, Cercyon and Damastes, after which he reaches Athens and Medea's plot against him fails. With Ariadne's clue he kills the Minotaur, and Ariadne is left on Naxos for Dionysus; Aegeus leaps to his death when he sees the black sail. The section then follows Daedalus and Icarus and Minos's death in Sicily, Theseus's Amazon wife and Phaedra's passion for Hippolytus, the Centauromachy, Helen's abduction, and Theseus's capture in Hades and death on Scyros.
Apollodorus, The Library (Bibliotheca), with the Epitome 1.9.23–28Jason and Medea: the Golden Fleece, the return and CorinthAt Colchis Aeetes sets Jason the tasks of yoking the fire-breathing bulls and sowing dragon's teeth, and Medea's drugs bring him through; she then helps him take the fleece. Medea kills her brother Apsyrtus to delay pursuit, and the Argo sails on to Circe, the Sirens, the Phaeacians, Crete (where Talos is killed) and Iolcus. Medea tricks the daughters of Pelias into boiling him, and when Jason marries Glauce at Corinth she destroys the bride and her father and kills her own sons. She flees to Athens and marries Aegeus, bears Medus, and finally returns to Colchis to restore Aeetes.
Apollodorus, The Library (Bibliotheca), with the Epitome 2.8.1–5The return of the HeraclidsAfter Heracles' death his sons flee from Eurystheus to Athens, where Eurystheus is killed by Hyllus and Alcmena gouges out the eyes of his severed head. The Heraclids retake the Peloponnese but are driven out by a plague, and Hyllus and Aristomachus are defeated when they misread the oracle about 'the third crop'. Temenus and the sons of Aristodemus finally conquer it with Oxylus as their 'three-eyed' guide, draw lots for Argos, Lacedaemon and Messene (Cresphontes cheats with a clod of earth), and the section closes with the murder of Temenus and the revenge of Aepytus in Messene.

Pindar (1)

Pindar, Pythian Odes 7.1–8.100Pythians 7-8: the Alcmaeonidae of Athens; Aristomenes and AlcmaeonPythian 7 praises Athens and the Alcmaeonidae, who built the temple at Delphi, for the chariot victory of Megacles, and says that prosperity brings envy. Pythian 8 is a hymn to Hesychia, goddess of peace, for Aristomenes of Aegina, wrestling victor, and recalls the giant Porphyrion, who did not know her power, and Alcmaeon at Thebes. It ends with the thought that man is the dream of a shadow and a prayer for Aegina and the Aeacidae.

Aeschylus (7)

Aeschylus, Persians 249–289Second episode: the Messenger announces the defeatA Messenger arrives and cries out that the whole barbarian host has been destroyed. The Chorus and the Messenger answer one another in laments for the shores of Salamis, full of the bodies of the Persian dead, and for the name of Athens, which is hateful to the Persians.
Aeschylus, Persians 155–248First episode: Atossa's dream and her questions about AthensQueen Atossa comes from the palace and tells the Chorus of her fear for the wealth and the king of Persia. She describes a dream of two women, one in Persian dress and one in Dorian, yoked to Xerxes' chariot, and an omen of an eagle attacked by a falcon at the altar. The Chorus advise prayers and libations, and when Atossa asks about Athens they tell her that the Athenians have a fountain of silver, serve no master, and destroyed the great army of Darius.
Aeschylus, Persians 290–352Second episode: Atossa questions the Messenger about the deadAtossa recovers her voice and asks who is dead and who is left. The Messenger tells her that Xerxes himself is alive, and lists the commanders who fell. She asks how large the Greek fleet was, and he says that numbers did not decide the battle but some god tipped the scale, and that the city of Athens still stands.
Aeschylus, Persians 681–738Third episode: the ghost of Darius learns of the disasterThe ghost of Darius rises from the tomb and asks why the Persians are in distress. The Chorus fear to speak, and Atossa tells him that the whole army has been ruined near Athens. Darius asks quick questions and learns that Xerxes bridged the Hellespont and led the army by land and sea, and that he has reached the bridge again.
Aeschylus, Eumenides 235–298Orestes at Athena's statue; the Furies find himOrestes comes to Athens and, clasping the statue of Athena, asks her to receive him kindly and to be his ally in Argos without war. The Furies arrive, following the blood-scent, and find him, and say that they will drink his blood and drag him down. Orestes answers that he has been purified many times and knows the rules of speech and silence, and calls on Athena to help him.
Aeschylus, Eumenides 734–777The votes are counted: Orestes is acquittedAthena declares that she will cast her vote for Orestes, since no mother bore her and she favours the male in all things but marriage, and says that Orestes wins even if the vote is equal. The votes are counted and found equal, and Orestes is acquitted. He thanks Athena and promises that his country will never take up arms against Athens.
Aeschylus, Eumenides 916–987Kommos: the Furies accept Athens and bless itThe Furies accept a home in Athens, and Athena tells the city's guardians how the Furies will keep the land free from harm. The Chorus pray for fruitful trees and flocks, for marriage for maidens, and for the protection of the young from untimely death, and for the city to be spared civil strife and the shedding of kindred blood.

Sophocles (12)

Sophocles, Oedipus at Colonus 1–83Prologue: Oedipus and Antigone arrive at the sacred groveThe blind Oedipus asks Antigone where they have come, and she describes the towers of a city far off and a grove thick with laurel, olive and vine, where nightingales sing. She seats him on a rough stone, and a stranger comes and tells him to leave, for the ground is sacred to the dread goddesses, the Eumenides. The stranger tells them that the place is called Colonus and that Theseus is king of Athens, and says that he will tell the people of the district, who will decide whether they may stay.
Sophocles, Oedipus at Colonus 254–310First episode: Oedipus' plea to the eldersThe Chorus say that they pity both father and daughter, but fear the gods. Oedipus asks what is the use of a fair name for Athens if it drives out the suppliant, and says that his deeds were suffered rather than done, since he killed his father not knowing him. The Chorus agree to wait for the decision of Theseus, their king, who has been sent for.
Sophocles, Ajax 815–865Ajax's farewell speech on the shoreAlone on the shore, Ajax inspects the sword, Hector's gift, which he has fixed in the ground. He prays to Zeus that Teucer may be the first to find him, to Hermes for a quick death and to the Erinyes to destroy the Greek army, and he says farewell to the light, to Salamis, to Athens and to the plains of Troy. He ends by saying that the rest he will tell to the shades.
Sophocles, Ajax 1163–1222Third stasimon: Teucer protects the body; the Chorus longs for homeTeucer places Eurysaces beside the body of his father as a suppliant, with locks of hair, and curses anyone who tries to take him by force. He goes to find a grave, and the Chorus sing of the long toil of the war, of the man who invented it, and of the loss of Ajax, who was their defence against night and war. They long to be back in Athens, below the cliff of Sunium.
Sophocles, Electra 680–772Second episode: the Paedagogus' false report of the chariot raceThe Paedagogus tells how Orestes won every prize at the Pythian games, and how in the chariot race he was thrown from his car and dragged by the reins, and died. He says that the body was burned at once and that men of Phocis are bringing the ashes in a small bronze urn. Clytaemnestra says that she does not know whether the news is fortunate or terrible, since she keeps her life through her own loss, and that a mother cannot hate the child she bore.
Sophocles, Oedipus at Colonus 84–117Prologue (cont.): Oedipus' prayer to the EumenidesOedipus prays to the Eumenides, saying that Apollo foretold that at the end of his wanderings he would find a resting-place at the seat of the dread goddesses, a blessing for those who received him and a ruin for those who drove him out. He takes his arrival here as the sign from them that Apollo promised, and asks the goddesses and Athens to pity him. Antigone sees aged men approaching, and Oedipus asks her to hide him in the grove.
Sophocles, Oedipus at Colonus 720–760Third episode: Creon comes for OedipusAntigone calls on Athens to prove its praises in deeds as she sees Creon approaching with armed attendants. Creon tells the elders that he is old and has come without force, sent by all the Thebans to persuade Oedipus to return. He says that he grieves to see Oedipus a beggar, with only one girl, unwed, to care for him, and calls on him to hide the shame and come home to the city that nurtured him.
Sophocles, Oedipus at Colonus 939–1013Third episode (cont.): Creon's defence and Oedipus' replyCreon says that he did not think Athens empty of men, but that he trusted the Areopagus not to receive a parricide and a man in an unholy marriage, and that he acted only because Oedipus had cursed him. Oedipus answers that his deeds were done unknowingly, that he could not be blamed for what an oracle decreed before his birth, and that Creon shamelessly speaks of a marriage with Creon's own sister. He calls on the goddesses of the land to help him against Creon.
Sophocles, Oedipus at Colonus 421–460First episode (cont.): Oedipus' anger at his sonsOedipus prays that the gods will not quench the strife of his sons and that the issue of their battle may lie with him, so that neither will keep the throne. He says that they let him be driven out and wander as a beggar, and that his daughters have cared for him instead. He tells the Chorus that if they defend him he will be a great savior for Athens and a trouble for his enemies.
Sophocles, Oedipus at Colonus 607–667Second episode (cont.): the promise of protectionOedipus tells Theseus that only the gods are free from old age and death, and that all else is changed by time, with trust dying and distrust being born, so that the friendship between Thebes and Athens will not last. He says that the time will come when his buried body will drink the warm blood of the Thebans. Theseus promises to protect him, saying that no one will take him from there against his will.
Sophocles, Oedipus at Colonus 1044–1098Second stasimon: the Chorus imagine the pursuitThe Chorus pray to be where the enemy will soon join battle, by the shores of Apollo or at the torch-lit beach, and imagine the horsemen of Athens overtaking the fugitives. They pray to Zeus and Pallas Athena, and to Apollo and his sister, for help, and sense that today the maidens will be recovered, and see the daughters returning.
Sophocles, Oedipus at Colonus 1500–1555Sixth episode: Oedipus tells Theseus the secret of his burialTheseus comes, and Oedipus says that his hour has come and that he wishes to repay Theseus' kindness by showing him the place of his death. He tells Theseus that the place will be a defence for Athens against Thebes, and that he must reveal it to no one but his eldest son, and so on in each generation. Oedipus then sets out to the place, leading Theseus and his daughters himself, and says farewell to the light.

Euripides (41)

Euripides, Ion 255–310First episode: Creusa tells Ion of Athens and her ancestryIon asks why Creusa weeps, and she gives her name and tells him that she is the daughter of Erechtheus of Athens, whose family springs from Erichthonius, born from Earth. She tells how Athena gave the infant to the daughters of Cecrops to guard, how they opened the chest and died, and how she herself, of her father's children, alone survived. She says that her husband, Xuthus, a foreigner who won her by helping Athens in war, has come with her to ask the oracle about children.
Euripides, Suppliants 162–251First episode: Adrastus begs Theseus for help and Theseus rebukes himAdrastus, blushing at throwing himself at the knees of Theseus, begs him to help bury the dead, saying that Athens is the only city that can pity them. Theseus answers that he has often argued whether men have more bad than good in them, that Adrastus has been ill-advised, in the sight of the gods, in his choice of allies and wars, and asks why he now seeks to drag Athens into the quarrel.
Euripides, Iphigenia in Tauris 939–988Second episode: Orestes tells of the trial at Athens and Apollo's oracleOrestes tells of the beginning of his troubles: that he killed his mother at Apollo's command, was pursued by the Furies, and was tried at Athens by the gods, and that some of them accepted the verdict while the others still pursued him. He says that the oracle told him to bring the image of Artemis from the land of the Taurians to Athens, and the Chorus says that a terrible anger from the gods has boiled up against the race of Tantalus.
Euripides, Ion 1–81Prologue: Hermes at Delphi tells of Apollo, Creusa and the hidden childHermes, whose mother Maia was a daughter of Atlas, tells how Apollo took Creusa, daughter of Erechtheus, in a cave under the cliffs of the Acropolis at Athens, and how she bore a son in secret and left him to die in the cave. At the god's request Hermes carried the child in his basket to Delphi, where the priestess reared him as a servant of the temple. He says that Creusa and her husband Xuthus are coming to consult the oracle about children, and that Apollo means to give Xuthus his own son, who will be called Ion.
Euripides, Children of Heracles 55–83Copreus tries to drag the children from the altarThe herald Copreus tells Iolaus that he is a fool to sit at an altar as a suppliant when he will be taken by force and stoned, but Iolaus answers that the god's altar and the free land of Athens will protect him. Copreus seizes the children, and Iolaus calls for help from the people of Athens, whereupon the Chorus enters, wondering at the cry heard at the altar.
Euripides, Children of Heracles 181–235First episode: Iolaus pleads for the children as Theseus' kinIolaus tells the king that he has the right to speak, as a suppliant in a free land, and that the exiles have nothing more to do with Argos. He tells Demophon that Heracles and Theseus were the sons of first cousins, and that he himself sailed with Theseus and Heracles as their squire, and begs him to save the children. The Chorus pities them.
Euripides, Children of Heracles 333–380Demophon prepares for war; the Chorus sings in defiance of ArgosDemophon says that he will muster the citizens and send scouts, and tells Iolaus to enter the house with the children. Iolaus refuses to leave the altar, and says that Athena, the goddess of Athens, will not brook defeat. The Chorus, in a song, says that Athens will not be frightened by the Argive's boasts, and warns him not to bring war against the city.
Euripides, Hippolytus 1090–1152Third choral song; Hippolytus leaves TroezenHippolytus takes his leave of Artemis, of Athens and of Troezen and of his companions, saying that he is going to exile with a purer soul, for all his father's doubts. The Chorus sings that when it considers the gods and their care for men it takes heart, but that it is hard to see the fate of mankind, and mourns the banishment of the young hunter. It sees a servant of Hippolytus hurrying toward the palace.
Euripides, Suppliants 1165–1234Exodos: Athena binds Argos to Athens by an oathTheseus tells Adrastus that he gives him these bones, and asks that Argos remember Athens' service, and Adrastus pledges eternal gratitude. Athena appears and tells Theseus that he should not give the bones back until the Argives have sworn an oath never to attack Athens, and tells him how the oath is to be sworn over a tripod of Heracles, and she foretells that the sons of the dead, the After-born, will avenge them and take Thebes.
Euripides, Ion 184–225Parodos: the Chorus admires the temple sculpturesThe Chorus of Creusa's handmaids, who have come from Athens, says that there are fine temples in Athens but that here at Delphi too, the shrine of Loxias shines. They look at the sculptures on the temple, among them Heracles killing the water-snake, Iolaus holding a torch, Bellerophon on his winged horse killing a fire-breathing monster and the battle of the giants.
Euripides, Ion 585–667Second episode: Ion's doubts about going to AthensIon says that things look different near and far, and that he is glad to have found a father, but he fears that Athens, a city of the earth-born, will not accept a foreigner's bastard. He tells Xuthus that in the great house he will be hated by Xuthus' wife and by the nobles, and that he would rather live a quiet life in the temple. Xuthus answers that he will bring him to Athens as a guest rather than as a son, to spare Creusa, and that his name shall be Ion, and he warns the handmaids to keep silent.
Euripides, Ion 987–1047Third episode: Creusa plans to poison Ion with Gorgon's bloodCreusa tells of the war of the earth-born, of how Athena slew the Gorgon and wears its skin on her aegis, and of how Athena gave Erichthonius two drops of the monster's blood, one that kills and one that heals. She says that she wears the poisonous drop in a golden bracelet, and that it is to be put in the cup of the boy at the feast, in Delphi rather than Athens. She gives the bracelet to the Old Servant, who goes to do the deed.

29 more passages of Euripides that name Athens

Aristophanes (13)

Aristophanes, The Acharnians 626–718Parabasis: the poet defends himself; the old men complain of the law-courtsThe Chorus step forward and tell the audience that their poet has taught the city not to be taken in by the flattery of foreign envoys, and that even the Persian King asked the Spartan ambassadors which city has the Poet as adviser. They say that the Spartans ask for Aegina only to take the poet away from Athens, and defy Cleon. In the closing songs the old men, who fought at Marathon, complain that young pleaders harry the aged in the courts.
Aristophanes, The Knights 973–1110bEpisode: the rival oracles of Bakis and GlanisThe Chorus sing of the day of Cleon's fall. Paphlagon reads oracles of Bakis, and the Sausage-seller reads those of Bakis's elder brother Glanis, about a dog, a lion, a wall of wood and iron, a hound-fox and an eagle, and each explains the verses in his own favour. They offer Demus rival dreams of Athena, and he gives himself over to the Sausage-seller's care. He then says that whichever of them brings him the most titbits that day will be given the Pnyx.
Aristophanes, The Knights 1316–1409Exodos: Demus made young againThe Sausage-seller returns and bids the Law Courts close, for he has boiled Demus young again, and the Propylaea open to show Athens in her splendour with Demus wearing his old-fashioned dress. Demus is ashamed of the flatterers who once led him astray, and promises to pay arrears to sailors and to keep young men out of the market-place. The Sausage-seller brings the thirty-year treaties, condemns Paphlagon to sell dogs'-meat at the city gates, and Demus invites him to dinner in the Hall.
Aristophanes, The Clouds 133–262Episode: Strepsiades at the Thinking-shop; Socrates in his basketA Student answers Strepsiades' knock and tells him of the master's discoveries, such as how many of its own feet a flea can jump, and of the gnat that hums through its tail. Strepsiades is shown the pupils bent double to study things underground, and a map on which he cannot see the dicasts, and he asks Socrates to be called down from the basket in which he hangs. Socrates says that he walks on air so as to see the sun, and offers to teach Strepsiades about the Clouds.
Aristophanes, The Knights 107–234Prologue: the stolen oracle and the Sausage-sellerWhile Paphlagon sleeps, Nicias steals the oracles that he guards, and Demosthenes reads in them how Paphlagon himself is to be overthrown. A line of sellers is foretold, an oakum-seller, a sheep-seller and a leather-seller, and after them a sausage-seller will oust the leather-seller. A Sausage-seller passing on his way to market is hailed as the coming ruler of Athens, and he protests that he is a rogue with no learning, which Demosthenes says is just what a demagogue needs. Paphlagon is seen approaching.
Aristophanes, The Knights 235–343Parodos: Paphlagon enters and the Knights attack himPaphlagon bursts out threatening the two slaves as traitors and tries to stop the Sausage-seller from running away. Demosthenes calls on the Knights, and the Chorus rush in to smite the extortioner. Paphlagon appeals to his jurymen, the Knights accuse him of squeezing the officials at their audits, and the two rivals begin to shout each other down.
Aristophanes, The Clouds 889–1112Agon: the Better Logic and the Worse LogicThe Right Logic and the Wrong Logic come forward and quarrel, each calling the other names, and the Right Logic argues that there is such a thing as Justice, whereupon the Wrong Logic asks why Zeus is unpunished for chaining his father. The Chorus invite each to state his case, and the Right Logic describes the old education of boys, who walked in silence to school and sat modestly, which the Wrong Logic mocks. The Wrong Logic argues that warm baths are good for the young, that chastity does a man no good, and that the audience are full of adulterers, so the Right Logic admits defeat and runs off to join them, and Strepsiades tells Socrates to flog his son and sharpen his wits for lawsuits.
Aristophanes, The Wasps 471–547Episode: terms of the debateBdelycleon asks whether they cannot settle the quarrel by argument, but the chorus answer with charges of tyranny, and he replies that the cry of Tyrant is now raised over fish and leeks. Philocleon agrees to a debate with his son, with the chorus as umpires, on condition that he will fall on a sword if he is beaten.
Aristophanes, The Wasps 548–649Agon: Philocleon praises the juror's lifePhilocleon argues that no power is greater than a juror's, since the accused bow to him at the rails, plead with tears and jokes, and bring their children to melt him. He describes how jurors control wills and heiresses and are not called to account, how Cleon and Theorus wait on them, and how he comes home with his fee to a daughter who washes his feet and a wife who feeds him. The chorus applaud the speech and warn Bdelycleon to answer to the point.
Aristophanes, Peace 236–295Prologue: War and the mortarWar comes out with a huge mortar in which he means to pound the Greek cities, throwing in leeks for Prasiae, garlic for Megara and cheese for Sicily, while Trygaeus looks on in dismay. War sends Riot to fetch a pestle, but Riot comes back empty-handed first from Athens and then from Sparta. War goes in to make a pestle himself, and Trygaeus decides that now is the time to pull out Peace.
Aristophanes, Frogs 668–731Parabasis: the Chorus urges Athens to restore its citizens' rightsThe Chorus call on the audience to restore the citizens' rights, since the Plataeans were treated better and the men who fought at sea were not all free. They compare the city's choice of leaders with the bad new coinage that is used in place of the old gold and silver. They end with a plea to the foolish people to turn again to men of worth.
Aristophanes, Frogs 1479–1533Exodos: Pluto's farewell; Aeschylus returns to AthensDionysus accepts Pluto's invitation to sup, and the Chorus bless the poet who is going back to the light. Pluto bids Aeschylus farewell and gives him messages for Cleophon, Archenomus and the tax-gatherers. Aeschylus asks that Sophocles keep his chair and that the low buffoon never sit in it, and the Chorus escort him up with torches and song.
Aristophanes, Plutus 771–822Episode: Wealth returns and the house overflowsWealth, restored to sight, salutes the sun and the plain of Athens and is ashamed of the rogues whose company he once kept. Chremylus complains of the false friends who crowd round him, and his wife welcomes Wealth with gifts, which Wealth prefers to receive indoors. Cario describes how the house is filled with gold, silver, oil, wine and figs while his master offers sacrifice within.

Diodorus Siculus (3)

Diodorus Siculus, Library of History, Books 4 to 6 (the Greek myths) 4.59.1–4.63.5TheseusThe historian tells of Theseus' birth at Troezen and his labours against the robbers on the road to Athens, then of the Minotaur: Minos' war over the death of Androgeos, the tribute of youths, Ariadne's help, and Theseus' union of the Attic demes into one city. He adds the story of Phaedra and Hippolytus and the exploits of Peirithoüs, including the abduction of Helen and the descent to Hades.
Diodorus Siculus, Library of History, Books 4 to 6 (the Greek myths) 4.25.1–4.27.5Heracles: Hades, Orpheus and the HesperidesHeracles is initiated at Athens in the Eleusinian Mysteries, and the historian digresses briefly on Orpheus. Heracles then descends to Hades, where Persephone welcomes him, and brings back Cerberus. For the last labour, the golden apples of the Hesperides, writers disagree about whether the prize was apples or golden-coloured sheep; the section also gives the story of Atlas and the Atlantides, whom Heracles rescues from pirates sent by Busiris, and Atlas's teaching him astronomy.
Diodorus Siculus, Library of History, Books 4 to 6 (the Greek myths) 4.54.1–4.56.8Jason and Medea at Corinth; the Argonauts' alleged return routeAfter ten years Jason takes Glauce, daughter of Creon, and Medea burns the palace and kills her children before escaping to Heracles at Thebes. The historian gives the later fortunes of Medea and her son Medus, remarks on the invented marvels of the tragic poets, and records the Argonauts' alleged return route by way of the Tanaïs and the ocean, with place-names in Italy and Libya that are said to prove it.

Ovid (7)

Ovid, Metamorphoses 6.412–541Tereus and PhilomelaThe kings of Greece come to console Pelops, but Athens, beset by war, sends no one. Tereus, king of Thrace, who has helped Athens, is given the king's daughter Procne in an ill-omened marriage. Years later Procne asks to see her sister, and Tereus goes to Athens to fetch Philomela, and desires her. He takes her to a hut in the woods and rapes her, and she reproaches him bitterly and says that she will tell everyone what he has done.
Ovid, Metamorphoses 7.453–613Cephalus at Aegina; the plagueMinos is gathering a fleet to make war on Athens, and Cephalus is sent from Athens to ask help from Aeacus, king of Aegina, and is received with honour. Aeacus tells how Hera (Juno), angered that the island was named after Zeus' (Jupiter's) lover Aegina, sent a plague that killed its people. The plague began among animals and spread to men, and the dead lay unburied in thousands.
Ovid, Metamorphoses 6.675–721Boreas and OrithyiaAfter the death of Pandion, Erechtheus (Erectheus) becomes king of Athens, and his daughter Orithyia is wooed by Boreas, the north wind. He asks in vain, and in the end carries her off by force, and she bears him the twin sons Zetes and Calais, who grow wings and later sail with the Argonauts.
Ovid, Metamorphoses 7.297–403Medea and the daughters of PeliasMedea, to punish Pelias, who had wronged Jason's family, pretends to have quarrelled with Jason and persuades Pelias' daughters to cut up their old father and boil him in a cauldron, promising to make him young. She shows them how a ram is made young again by the same method, but she leaves out the magic herbs for Pelias, and the daughters kill him. Medea flees in a chariot drawn by dragons and flies over Greece, over the places of many transformations, and takes refuge with Aegeus, king of Athens.
Ovid, Metamorphoses 7.404–452Medea and TheseusMedea becomes the wife of King Aegeus of Athens, and Theseus comes to the court, not yet recognised as the king's son. She brews poison for him, but Aegeus sees the sword that Theseus wears, and knocks the cup from his hand, and Medea escapes in a cloud. Athens celebrates with feasts and prayers for the hero.
Ovid, Metamorphoses 8.547–610Theseus at the house of Achelous; PerimeleTheseus, on his way back to Athens, is stopped by the flooded river Achelous, who invites him to his hall and entertains him with tales of changes. Achelous tells him of the Echinades, once nymphs whom he spurned, and of Perimele, whom he loved, and whom her father threw into the sea. Poseidon (Neptune), in pity, turned her into an island.
Ovid, Metamorphoses 6.1–145Arachne and AthenaArachne, a girl of Lydia famed for her weaving, refuses to say that her skill came from Athena (Minerva) and challenges the goddess to a contest. Athena appears as an old woman and warns her, and then reveals herself, and both begin to weave. Athena's tapestry shows the contest of the gods for Athens and warnings to mortals, Arachne's the loves of the gods, and when the goddess can find no fault she tears it and strikes Arachne, who hangs herself and is turned into a spider.

Pausanias (73)

Pausanias, Description of Greece 1.20.1–7Athens: Street of Tripods, theatre of Dionysus and Sulla’s capture of AthensThe Street of Tripods holds the Satyr of Praxiteles, with the story of Phryne tricking him into naming his finest work. The oldest sanctuary of Dionysus lies beside the theatre, with Alcamenes’ image and paintings of Hephaestus brought to heaven, Pentheus, Lycurgus and Ariadne. Near it stands a copy of Xerxes’ tent burnt by Sulla, which prompts an account of Mithridates, Aristion and Sulla’s siege and sack of Athens.
Pausanias, Description of Greece 1.1.1–5Attica: Sunium, Laurium and the harbours of Piraeus and PhalerumPausanias begins at Cape Sunium and sails along the Attic coast past Laurium and the island of Patroclus. He explains how Piraeus replaced Phalerum as the port of Athens under Themistocles, and describes the grave of Themistocles, the precinct of Athena and Zeus, the Long Colonnade and Conon’s sanctuary of Aphrodite at Piraeus. He also notes shrines at Munychia, Phalerum and Cape Colias, and a temple of Hera on the road to Athens said to have been burnt by Mardonius.
Pausanias, Description of Greece 1.37.1–7The Sacred Way: tombs, the Cephisus and Harpalus’ monument to PythioniceContinuing along the Sacred Way, Pausanias lists the tombs of Heliodorus, Themistocles’ descendant and Nicocles the harpist, the story of Acestium and the Torch-bearers, and the precinct of Phytalus, where Demeter gave the fig-tree. Beyond the Cephisus he notes the altar of Gracious Zeus where Theseus was purified, the temple of Cyamites, and the great tomb Harpalus built for Pythionice, and the sanctuary of Apollo tied to the story of Cephalus.
Pausanias, Description of Greece 1.38.1–9Eleusis: the Rhiti, Eumolpus, Triptolemus and EleutheraePausanias describes the salt streams called Rhiti, boundary between Eleusinians and Athenians, the palace of Crocon and the tomb of Eumolpus, with the war between Eleusis and Athens that fixed the mysteries’ arrangements. At Eleusis he notes shrines of Hippothoon and Zarex, the Cephisus where Theseus slew Procrustes, the temple of Triptolemus, the Callichorum well and the Rarian plain, but declines to describe the sanctuary itself. He ends with Eleutherae and the cave of the infant sons of Antiope.
Pausanias, Description of Greece 3.4.1–10Sparta: Cleomenes I, Leonidas at Thermopylae and PausaniasPausanias describes how Cleomenes burned the Argives who fled to the grove of Argus, intervened twice at Athens, and bribed the Delphic priestess to depose Demaratus, and he gives the Argive, Athenian and Delphian explanations of Cleomenes’ mad death. The kingdom then passes to Leonidas, whose stand at Thermopylae he rates above all other exploits, and he praises the regent Pausanias for his treatment of the Coan woman and his refusal to mutilate the body of Mardonius.
Pausanias, Description of Greece 3.8.1–10Sparta: Agis II, Cynisca, the war with Elis and the quarrel over the successionArchidamus’ sons are Agis and Agesilaus and his daughter Cynisca, the first woman to win at Olympia. Pausanias describes Agis’ war with Elis, which ended in the Eleans giving up their vassal cities, his Decelea fort and his pressure to destroy Athens. Like Aristo, Agis doubted his son Leotychides’ paternity, and Pausanias gives the Delphic oracle about the lame reign and Lysander’s support for Agesilaus.
Pausanias, Description of Greece 1.2.1–6Athens: from Piraeus to the Ceramicus, tomb of Antiope, early kingsEntering Athens from Piraeus, Pausanias notes the tomb of the Amazon Antiope, the ruins of Conon’s walls and the graves of Menander and a cenotaph of Euripides, which leads him to poets at royal courts. Inside the gate he describes the building for the processions, a temple of Demeter with statues attributed to Praxiteles, the colonnades to the Ceramicus and the sanctuary of Dionysus with clay images of Amphictyon feasting the gods. He ends with the first kings of Athens, from Actaeus and Cecrops to Cranaus, Amphictyon and Erichthonius.
Pausanias, Description of Greece 1.3.1–5Athens Agora: Royal Colonnade, Apollo Patroos and the Council HouseThe Ceramicus is named after the hero Ceramus. The Royal Colonnade has terra-cotta figures of Theseus and Sciron and of Day carrying Cephalus, with nearby statues of Conon, Timotheus, Evagoras, Zeus of Freedom and Hadrian. A colonnade with paintings of the Twelve Gods and of Theseus with Democracy leads Pausanias to dispute the tale that Theseus gave power to the people; he also describes Euphranor’s painting of the cavalry fight at Mantinea, the temple of Apollo Paternal, the sanctuary of the Mother of the Gods and the Council House of the Five Hundred.
Pausanias, Description of Greece 1.14.1–7Athens: Enneacrunus, Triptolemus, temple of Hephaestus, Heavenly AphroditeNear the Music Hall is the fountain Enneacrunus, with temples of Demeter and Kore and of Triptolemus. Pausanias gives the Argive and Athenian versions of the Triptolemus story and the variant parentages in Musaeus, Orpheus and Choerilus, but declines to describe the Eleusinium because of a dream. He also notes the statue of Epimenides, the temple of Good Fame, a temple of Hephaestus beside a blue-eyed Athena, and the sanctuary of Heavenly Aphrodite, a cult that came from the Assyrians through Paphos and Ascalon.
Pausanias, Description of Greece 1.25.1–8Athens Acropolis: statues of Pericles and Anacreon; the Lamian War and the tyrantsStatues on the Acropolis include Xanthippus, Pericles and Anacreon, Io and Callisto, and the small groups dedicated by Attalus showing the Giants, Amazons, Marathon and the Gauls. Pausanias then recounts the aftermath of Chaeronea and the Lamian War under Leosthenes, the Macedonian garrisons, Cassander’s tyrants Demetrius of Phalerum and Lachares, and Demetrius son of Antigonus fortifying the Museum hill.
Pausanias, Description of Greece 1.27.1–10Athens Acropolis: Athena Polias, the Arrephoroi, Tolmides and the bull of MarathonIn the temple of Athena Polias Pausanias lists a wooden Hermes, Daedalus’ folding chair, Persian spoils and the sacred olive, then the temple of Pandrosus and the secret night rite of the Arrephoroi. He describes figures of Erechtheus and Eumolpus, the statue of Tolmides with a summary of his campaigns, and bronze groups of Theseus lifting the rock, and of Theseus and the bull of Marathon, told through Troezenian and Cretan tales.
Pausanias, Description of Greece 1.29.1–16Athens: the road to the Academy and the public gravesNear the Areopagus stands the ship of the Panathenaic procession. On the road to the Academy Pausanias notes shrines of Artemis and Eleutherian Dionysus, then the state burial ground with the graves of Thrasybulus, Pericles, Chabrias, Phormio and the fallen of many campaigns, among them Thrace, Tanagra, Corinth and Sicily. He explains the omission of Nicias’ name and the alliance with Argos, and lists the tombs of Conon, Timotheus, Chrysippus, Harmodius and Aristogiton, Ephialtes and Lycurgus, with Lycurgus’ public works.

61 more passages of Pausanias that name Athens

Nonnus of Panopolis (5)

Nonnus of Panopolis, Dionysiaca 47.364–495Book 47: Ariadne's lament; her marriage to Dionysos; the madness of ArgosAriadne laments her abandonment and begs any passing sailor to take her to Athens. Dionysos appears, consoles her and promises her a crown of stars, and they marry on Naxos amid songs and dances. He then goes to Argos, where the people, fearing Hera, refuse his rites, and he drives the Argive women mad so that they kill their infant children.
Nonnus of Panopolis, Dionysiaca 47.0–115Book 47: Dionysos in Attica gives wine to IcariosAthens breaks into dance as Dionysos arrives in Attica, and the vines and flowers spring up everywhere. The god visits the old gardener Icarios, whose daughter Erigone is drawing goat's milk, and gives him wine. Icarios admires the new drink and shares it with his neighbours, and the countrymen drink it neat until they reel.
Nonnus of Panopolis, Dionysiaca 13.83–200Book 13: Boeotians, Phocians, Euboians and AtheniansA second Boeotian host is led by Hymenaios from Aspledon, Orchomenos, Hyria and Aulis, and the poet digresses on Orion and Iphigeneia. The Phocians follow, and then the Corybants of Euboia. The Athenians come under Erechtheus, from Marathon, Eleusis and Acharnai.
Nonnus of Panopolis, Dionysiaca 19.0–96Book 19: Dionysos consoles Methe and Botrys; the harpers' contest beginsMethe laments Staphylos, and Dionysos consoles her and Botrys with wine, promising that Methe will give her name to drunkenness and Botrys and Staphylos theirs to the grape cluster and the bunch. He then holds a contest beside Staphylos' tomb, offering a bull and a goat as prizes to the harpers. Erechtheus of Athens sings first, of Demeter entertained by Celeos, comparing Dionysos' hospitality to it.
Nonnus of Panopolis, Dionysiaca 46.265–369Book 46: Agaue's lament; Dionysos leaves Thebes for AthensDionysos restores Agaue's senses, and she mourns over Pentheus's head, cursing her sanity and calling herself a child-murderer. Pentheus is buried, and Dionysos gives the mourners a drink of forgetfulness and sends Cadmos and Harmonia wandering west towards their fate as stone snakes. He then goes in procession to Athens.

Bacchylides (2)

Bacchylides, Dithyrambs 18.1–60Dithyramb 18: Theseus, a dialogue of the chorus and AegeusThe chorus asks Aegeus why the war-trumpet has sounded over Athens. Aegeus replies that a herald has reported the deeds of a man who has killed Sinis, closed the wrestling-school of Cercyon and silenced the hammer of Polypemon. He describes the stranger's sword, javelins, Laconian bonnet and purple tunic, and says that he seeks Athens.
Bacchylides, Epinicians (Odes of Victory) 10.1–56Ode 10: Aglaos of Athens, foot-races at the IsthmusFame carries news of victory to all men, and the poet's song, commissioned by Aglaos' sister's husband, brings the runner's renown to Athens. It describes the start and second dash of his race at the Isthmus and the cheering crowd, and lists his wins at the Isthmus, at Nemea and in other cities. The poet then reflects on the many paths to distinction and on the power of riches, and turns to the festal joy that follows a victory.

Athens in the ancient sources

Hesiod (1)

Homer (4)

Apollodorus (4)

Pindar (1)

Aeschylus (7)

Sophocles (12)

Euripides (41)

Aristophanes (13)

Diodorus Siculus (3)

Ovid (7)

Pausanias (73)

Nonnus of Panopolis (5)

Bacchylides (2)