athens
|Ath-ens|
/ˈæθənz/
(Athens)
city of Athena / Greek city
Etymology
'Athens' originates from Ancient Greek, specifically the word 'Ἀθῆναι' (Athēnai), which was taken into Latin as 'Athenae'.
'Athēnai' passed into Latin as 'Athenae', then into Middle English/Medieval forms such as 'Athenes' or 'Athen', and finally became the modern English 'Athens'.
Initially the name referred to the place associated with the goddess Athena and the people of that area; over time it continued to denote the city (both ancient polis and the modern capital) without a major shift in core meaning.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
the capital and largest city of Greece, located in the region of Attica; a modern, inhabited city.
Athens is the capital of Greece and an important cultural and economic center.
Synonyms
Noun 2
the ancient city and city-state (polis) of classical Greece, renowned for its philosophers, art, architecture, and early development of democracy.
Ancient Athens was the heart of classical Greek civilization and home to philosophers such as Socrates and Plato.
Synonyms
Idioms
Last updated: 2025/11/10 20:06