Athens—the name brings to mind buildings with tall， white columns and statues of Greek gods and goddesses. Museums take visitors back to the time of ancient Greece. When visiting the city， visitors feel like they’re in a history lesson.

Athens gave birth to Western culture. This is where the West’s ideas of government， law， justice and liberty all began. Architecture， science， drama and poetry also flourished here.

The history of Athens is tied to mythology. The god that came up with the most valuable legacy （遺產(chǎn)） for humans was to give the city its name. Poseidon and Athena each wanted the honor. Athena produced an olive tree-the symbol of peace and wealth. Poseidon offered a strong horse needed for war. The gods decided Athena’s gift would better serve the people， and the city became known as Athens.

The Acropolis， or “high city”， stands on a hill overlooking the city. Western civilization’s most important ancient monument （遺跡） was built by Pericles， the leader of Athens from 461-429 B.C.. He spared no expense when he constructed the buildings of the Acropolis. He used only the best materials， architects and artists. His artists created huge statues of marble （大理石） and covered them with gold and jewels. Sadly， only ruins remain of this “high city” of temples.

More treasure of ancient Greece lies in the National Archeological Museum. Opened in 1874， the museum contains the best collection of Greek art in the world. It is crammed （塞滿） with treasures—more than visitors can see in a single visit. Visitors can view treasures from all the ancient civilizations that controlled the city throughout history. The vases， statues， carvings and other art objects show the life of those who lived in ages past.

But a visit to Athens is more than a lesson in ancient history. Modern Athens hums with activity. The city offers every modern convenience.

One thing that hasn’t changed since ancient times， that is Greek hospitality. Ancient Greeks believed that a stranger might be a god in disguise （化身）. Therefore， they always treated strangers kindly. Nowhere else in Europe will you find people who invite complete strangers to their homes for coffee or dinner.

If you do go to a Greek home for dinner， do your best to eat everything on your plate. Uneaten food insults the cook. Taking second helpings is the best way to show how much you enjoy the meal.

雅典，這個名字令人想到高大的白色圓柱的建筑物以及希臘諸神的雕像。博物館將帶游客回到古希臘時代。當游客造訪此城時，會覺得仿佛置身在歷史課堂上。

雅典是西方文明的搖籃，西方的政府、法律、法律制裁和自由這些觀念，都起源于此。建筑、科學(xué)、戲劇和詩詞也在這里大放光芒。

雅典的歷史與神話密不可分。哪一個神能夠帶給人類最寶貴的遺產(chǎn)，就可以為此城命名。海神波塞冬和雅典娜女神都想得到這份殊榮。雅典娜造了一棵橄欖樹，象征和平與財富。波塞冬則提供一匹驍勇善戰(zhàn)的馬。后來諸神決定雅典娜的禮物對人類比較有意義，于是此城就取名為“雅典”。

阿克羅波利斯，或稱“高城”，聳立在山上俯瞰全城。它是西方文明最重要的古老遺跡，由西元前四六一至四二九年間的雅典統(tǒng)治者——伯里克利——所建。他不惜成本，斥下巨資建造阿克羅波利斯。他只用最好的材料、建筑師和藝術(shù)家。他的藝術(shù)家雕刻了巨大的大理石雕像，外面還包上黃金和寶石?？上У氖?，這個神廟“高城”如今只留下一片廢墟。

“國家考古博物館”中收藏更多的古希臘珍寶。這個博物館在西元一八七四年開幕，里面收集了全世界最精致的希臘藝術(shù)品。館中滿是寶物，訪客無法一次看完所有的收藏品。游客在這里可以見到歷史上每一個曾統(tǒng)治此城的古文明珍寶?；ㄆ?、雕像、雕刻品和其他藝術(shù)品顯示出遠古居民的生活。

但是，到雅典一游不只是去上一堂古代歷史課。現(xiàn)代的雅典十分繁榮。這個城市提供了各種現(xiàn)代化的便利。

但有一件事自古至今仍未改變，那就是希臘人的好客。古希臘人相信，陌生人可能是神的化身，所以他們總會善待陌生人。全歐洲只有這個地方的人，會邀請一個完全陌生的人到家里喝咖啡或吃晚飯。

如果你真的到希臘人家里吃晚飯，一定要盡量把你盤中的食物吃光，不把東西吃完對廚師來說是一種侮辱，吃完再要第二份，最能表示你吃得很盡興。