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The name Cecrops means 'face with a tail' and it is said that this mythical Greek king, born from the earth
itself, had his top half shaped like a man and the bottom half in serpent or fish-tail form. He was first king and founder of
Athens itself, though preceded in the region by earth-born Actaeus, king of Attica. Cecrops was a culture-hero, teaching the
Athenians marriage, reading and writing, and ceremonial burial.
During his reign Athena became the patron goddess of the city of Athens in a
competition with Poseidon which Cecrops judged. They agreed that each would give
the Athenians one gift and Cecrops would choose whichever gift they preferred. Poseidon struck the ground with his trident and a spring sprang up; the water was salty and not very useful, whereas Athena
offered them an olive tree. Cecrops accepted the olive tree and along with it Athena as their patron, for the olive tree brought
wood, oil and food.
The Acropolis was also known as the Cecropia in his honor.
Cecrops I was the father of three daughters: Herse, Pandrosus and Aglaurus. To them was given a box or jar containing
the infant Erichthonius of Athens to guard unseen. They
looked, and terrified by the two serpents Athena had set within to guard the child,
they fled in terror and lept from the Acropolis to their deaths. Some accounts say one of the sisters was turned to stone
instead.
Cecrops' son Erysichthon predeceased him and he was succeeded by Cranaus.
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