Patron of the city

The Parthenon in Athens today

Most Greek cities had a sanctuary or temple dedicated to Athena because she was the 'protectress of the city'.

She is particularly associated with the city of Athens. There is a myth that Athena's gift to the city was the olive tree. It grew on the Acropolis. Other sacred olive trees grew near Plato's Academy - they provided the oil for the prizes at the Panathenaic Games.

In the 5th century BC a great temple to Athena was built on the Athenian Acropolis. The temple was called the Parthenon.