Greece is the birthplace of the Olympic Games, and has a long history and cultural background. The history of Athens begins more than 3,000 years ago when during the prehistoric times its first inhabitants created their first settlement on the rock of the Acropolis. During thousands of years, Athens went through times of glory and times of decline. Finally it became the capital of Greece in 1834 mostly for its location and historical importance. Since then Athens grew to the city we know today, an important financial European capital that hosted the last Olympic Games with a great success.

The historical centre of Athens is the most important area of the city for the thousands of tourists who are visiting the Greek capital in order to admire the shrine of Democracy, the Acropolis, the Parthenon, the museums and monuments and theatres from the glorious past of Athens.

Since the distances to most of the main sights of Athens are not long, walking is a good idea and a good way to get to know Athens. Athens has a lot of attractions that someone will need at least one week or more to explore. There are many museums in Athens like the National Archaeological Museum of Athens, one of the most important museums in the world. And, of course, don't forget the beaches and the famous nightlife of Athens equivalent with the nightlife of Paris and London.

奥运会的诞生地希腊，有着悠久的历史和文化背景。希腊历史起源于3000多年前的史前时期，希腊先民的第一个居住点就建在雅典卫城的巨石上。此后的几千年间，雅典经历了辉煌的时期，也见证了衰败的历史。最后，因其优越的地理位置和重要的历史价值，雅典在1834年成为希腊的首都。之后，雅典逐渐成长为今天我们所认识的这座城市——重要的欧洲金融中心，它还成功举办了上届的奥林匹克运动会。

对于成千上万的游客来说，雅典城最重要的区域是它的历史中心。在这里，他们可以瞻仰民主的圣地，拜访卫城、帕台农神庙，还有尽显希腊辉煌历史的各种博物馆、纪念碑和剧场。

希腊城中的主要景点都相距不远，步行不失为了解这座城市的一种好想法和好方法。雅典有如此多的名胜古迹，人们至少需要一周的时间来游览。城中有很多的博物馆，比如，雅典国家考古博物馆，它是世界上最重要的博物馆之一。当然，千万不要忘记美丽的沙滩，还有著名的雅典夜生活，它绝不亚于巴黎和伦敦。

prehistoric adj. 史前的

glory n. 光荣

admire vt. 钦佩，赞赏

attraction n. 吸引，吸引力

archaeological adj. 考古学的

equivalent adj. 相等的

inhabitant n. 居民

decline n. 衰落

shrine n. 圣地

Jane 刚刚从雅典旅游回来，晒得黝黑的她神采奕奕地来到公司上班。中午休息时，Jane在餐厅里碰到了Lenna。

L = Lenna 蕾 = 蕾娜 J = Jane 简 = 简

L: Good to see you again! How was Athens?

J: It was actually very hot and I forgot my sunscreen.

L: But you look really good with that suntan. What's your recommendation of I decide to go to Athens next year?

J: Well, bring your sunscreen, and go to the Acropolis! You can't go to Athens without visiting the Acropolis. It is for sure the symbol of Athens.

L: Thank you. I will definitely go there. Just being curious, how did Athens get its name?

J: That's a very good question. I heard this story from our tour guide. The city is named after Athena, a goddess in Greek mythology. When the city of Athens was built, both Poseidon and Athena competed for the honor of naming it. It was then agreed that whoever offered the most useful object for men would become the patron of the city. Poseidon produced a horse, symbolizing struggle and sorrow; whereas Athena had an olive tree to present a symbol of peace and plenty. In the end, Athena won.

L: What an interesting story!

蕾：很开心又见到你了！雅典怎么样？

简：天气非常热，而我又忘带我的防晒霜了。

蕾：但你被太阳晒得黑黑的以后，看起来棒极了。如果我来年想要去雅典的话，你有什么建议吗？

简：哦，要带上你的防晒霜，还有，一定要去雅典卫城！去雅典，决不能不去卫城。它绝对是雅典的象征。

蕾：谢谢，我肯定会去的。我很好奇，雅典这个名字是怎么来的？

简：这个问题问得好。我从导游那里听到一个故事。雅典的名字来自于希腊神话中的女神——雅典娜。希腊建城的时候，波塞冬与雅典娜都在争夺为之命名的荣耀。最后达成协议：能为人类提供最有用的东西的一方将成为该城的守护神。波塞冬变出了一匹战马，代表战争与悲伤；而雅典娜则变出了一棵橄榄树，象征和平与富裕。最后，雅典娜获得了胜利。

蕾：多由意思的故事啊！

sunscreen n. 防晒霜

mythology n. 神话

patron n. 保护人

sorrow n. 悲伤

curious adj. 好奇的

honor n. 荣誉

symbolize vt. 象征

假如你刚从雅典旅游回来，又一位外国朋友想让你给他介绍一下雅典。试着完成下面的对话。

1. 外国朋友：Hi, how was your trip to Athens?

你：________________________________

2. 外国朋友：How did Athens get its name?

你：________________________________

3. 外国朋友：What's your recommendation if I decide to go to Athens next year?

你：________________________________

4. 外国朋友：How long was your trip?

你：________________________________

1. It was fantastic!

2. The city is named after Athena, a goddess in Greek mythology.

3. The Acropolis! You can't go to Athens without visiting the Acropolis. It is for sure the symbol of Athens.

4. About a week. Because Athens has a lot of attractions that someone will need at least one week or more to explore.

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