Attica

Attica, one of the political divisions or states of Hellas or ancient Greece, of which Athens was the capital. Its area was about 640 sq. m., rather smaller than that of Lanarkshire. The territory is of triangular shape, having its north-east and south-west sides washed by the sea, while on the north it is connected with the mainland. In ancient times it was bounded on the W. by Megaris and the Saronic Gulf; on the S., which ran out into the 'marble steep' of Sunium, by the Ægean Sea; on the E. by the Ægean Sea; and on the N. by Bœotia, from which it was separated by a lofty range of hills, the most famous part of which was formerly called Cithæron. Ancient Attica was thus walled in from the rest of Greece; whilst within its own limits rose Mount Parnes (4634 feet), Pentelicon (3641), Hymettus (3368), Ægaleus (1535), Lycaëttus (911), and the Athenian Acropolis (513). The largest plains extend in the neighbourhood of Athens and Eleusis. The two principal rivers were the Cephissus and Ilissus, which, if they exhibited the same features in ancient times as they do now, must have been mere mountain-torrents, dry in summer. The unfruitfulness of the soil, and the scarcity of water, compelled the inhabitants occasionally to send out colonies. As early, however, as the time of Solon, Attica was well cultivated, and produced wine and corn. Mount Hymettus was celebrated for its bees and honey, and metals were found in the range of Laurium. Figs, olives, and grapes are still cultivated. Goats and sheep find suitable pasturage; but the country does not now produce much grain. According to ancient tradition, the Autochthons of Attica were first civilised under Cecrops, who is said to have come thither from Sais, at the mouth of the Nile in Egypt, about 1550 B.C., and to have introduced the culture of olives, and of several species of grain, as also to have implanted milder manners, and taught the worship of the gods. He is stated to have divided the country into twelve communities or states. This, however, was not the only division known in early Attica. A still older division into phylai, or tribes, existed, as also a minute subdivision into demoi, or townships. By Theseus Athens was united with the eleven other states of Attica under one government, of which Athens was made the seat. After this union of the several states, the whole of Attica shared in the fortunes of Athens (q.v.), and, under Vespasian, became a Roman province. On the division of the Roman empire, Attica naturally fell into the hands of the Greek emperors. In 396 A.D. it was captured by Alaric, king of the Goths. What may have been its population in ancient times it is impossible to determine precisely. Clinton estimates it at upwards of half a million, but this is probably exaggerated. To-day Attica and Bœotia together form a nomarchy or government in the kingdom of Greece, with an area of 2472 sq. m., and a pop. (1889) of 257,764.