Athens: 6,000 Years of History Waiting for You to Explore!

When and how was Athens founded? The city’s origins are forever shrouded in myth! But from the first Neolithic settlement to its world dominance in the Golden Age of Pericles in the 5th c. BCE, the Athenians were giving birth to a civilisation that would acquire universal significance, not only in the Western world but far beyond. One cannot imagine art, theatre, philosophy, mathematics, architecture, rhetoric and logic, or pedagogy without the influence of this flower of the Mediterranean.

Though the flower faded over the next few centuries of war and invasion, conquerors were nevertheless captivated by the city, erecting monuments and adopting aspects of Greek culture. So even as elements of Greek style were being spread abroad, Athens was being transformed into a new kind of cosmopolitan crossroads, influenced by the architecture, music and gastronomy of its occupiers.

The result is a city of unparalleled cultural depth. Athens became the capital of the modern Greek state in 1834 under Bavarian rule, after a war of independence from the Ottoman Empire. There are many architectural examples from this period of northern European influence still extant in the city.

The 20th c. was frequently turbulent for the Greeks and for Athens, but in 1981, with entry into the EEC, the city saw an unprecedented modernization program that culminated in what you will see when you attend ATHENS 2007.

Hosting the Olympic Games capped a multi-decade process of expansion of infrastructure, public safety, and economic development that has left Athens truly world class.

Hellenic Petroleum is at the centre of the Greek oil industry. It was founded in 1958 (as Athens Refinery) and has grown to become one of the most important energy players in SE Europe. Modernization of refineries and construction of pipelines have continued apace since the turn of the current century. The E&P sector has operated over 30 years in Greece and currently has concession rights in Libya, Egypt, Albania and Montenegro.

The weather in November can be lovely, with cool days, much sun and occasional rain. The average temperature in November is 15.5º C., 60º F. Athens comes alive at night with the cooler weather, so bring a light jacket and be prepared to explore Athens after dark!