Cecrops

hero

Κέκροψ

Athens, civilization

Half-serpent first king of Athens who judged the contest between Athena and Poseidon.

The Myth

Cecrops was autochthonous — born directly from the earth of Attica — with a human upper body and a serpent's tail below. As first king of Athens, he established marriage, burial of the dead, and the alphabet. His most famous act was judging the contest between Athena and Poseidon for patronage of the city. Poseidon struck the Acropolis with his trident, producing a salt spring. Athena planted an olive tree. Cecrops chose Athena, giving the city its name.

Children

Erysichthon, Aglauros, Herse, Pandrosus

Symbols

serpent bodyolive tree

Fun Fact

An olive tree still grows on the Acropolis today, said by tradition to descend from the one Athena planted in the contest Cecrops judged.

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