Athens
/ˈæθ.ənz/noun
The capital city of Greece, and the historic center of ancient Greek civilization.
Did you know?The name Athens is ancient and likely pre-Greek, meaning its true origin is older than the classical language of Plato and may preserve a lost substrate name rather than a transparent Greek word.
Etymological Timeline
Pre-Greek / Bronze Age
Pre-Greek
*Athānā / *Athēnā
“A very old place-name or goddess-name of uncertain, likely pre-Greek origin”
Classical Greek
Greek
Ἀθῆναι (Athênai)
“The city of Athens; originally a plural place-name”
Roman Era
Latin
Athēnae
“Athens”
Old English
English
Æþen / Athenas
“Athens, the Greek city”
Modern English
English
Athens
“The capital city of Greece”