in ancient greece each town had a god or goddess looking over them Poseidon was Zeus' brother and Athena's uncale he was also lord of the sea. Poseidon was a very powerful god, he loved attention and loved it when towns built temples to worship him. Poseidon was always on the look out for towns that haven't yet been claimed by another god. he wanted as many towns as possible. one day Athena, goddess of wisdom, and Poseidon, both claimed the village of Athens. back then athens was pretty small. normally, the people would be thrilled to be selected by a god to watch over them. But two gods at once? a town could only have one guardian, and they didn't want to choose coz they didn't want to anger either god. so Athena had an idea, each god will give the town a gift and the towns people could decide which gift is the best. Poseidon loved the idea but now the towns people were even more nervous then before. Poseidon tapped the side of a montian and Water flowed out of the mountian, fresh water was so important. the people were sure Poseidon had won. but when they tasted the water they spat it out, it was salt water. then Athena waved her hand. and a olive tree began to grow. the people tasted the olives, smiles broke out. the olives were grate. The olive tree would provide food, shelter and oil for cooking. it was a magnificent gift. but no coastal town would ever try anger the lord of the sea, luckily the people did not have to choose. Poseidon laughed "yours is a much better gift than mine, my lovely niece, i award you Athens." and that is story of how Athena became the guardian of Athens.
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The legends of the greek gods and goddesses
Short Storythis is a book full of legends of the great gods and goddesses of Greece, from the how Athena goddess of wisdom got the city of Athens to how a famous hunter made a big mistake with one of the goddesses.
