Recently, after hundreds of years of building, workers and architects finished building the Acropolis in honor of Athena, the goddess of wisdom. The mathematical proportions of the temple are thought to be divined by the gods. Inside the temple is a statue of Athena made built by the best sculptors in Greece. The reason for building the Acropolis is a very interesting. Poseidon, god of the sea, and his niece Athena both wanted the city of Athens for their home. To settle the squabble, they decided whoever could give Athens the best gift got the city. Poseidon struck a rock with his mighty trident and a spring welled up from it. The citizens of Athens couldn't drink from it, though, because the water was salty. For her gift, Athena planted an olive tree in the crevice of a rock. Her gift was judged as the better of the two as the Athenian's could use the wood for fires, make olive oil, eat olives, or enjoy the shade it provided.

By Brandt T.

Back To The Main Page | To the Highland Park Home Page

Last modified: January 29, 1996
Copyright © Highland Park Elementary School 1996