The gods gazed down upon the world from their home on Mount Olympus, and of all the cities in the world, the city now called Athens was the most beautiful. When the citizens called on the gods for protection from pestilence or warlike neighbors, the gods heard. And when the citizens wondered if any god would become the patron of the city and care for it above all others, that, too, was heard on Olympus.

Athene and Poseidon both came down and appeared before the people, each desiring to be the sole patron of the city.

"I am the elder," Poseidon said. "It is my right to receive the special sacrifices of this city, and offer my protection. I am the god of the sea, which these people depend upon."

"You may be the elder," Athene replied, "but not necessarily the wiser. I can also teach these people the arts of war, and other skills besides. But this conversation is pointless. Let us allow the people to decide who shall be their patron."

And so the people discussed the issue. Some clamored for Poseidon, and some for Athene, but finally the city's leaders reached a decision and presented it to the gods.

"We will hold a simple contest," they said. "Each of you will give something to the city. The one who presents us with the gift we prefer shall be our patron."

"That is fair," said Poseidon, and Athene nodded. Then Poseidon drove his trident into the earth, and a spring welled up on that spot. The people admired the water's beauty, but when they tasted it, discovered that it was as salty as the sea.

As disappointment spread, Athene took her turn. She touched the ground, and a tree sprang up, fully grown. "This is an olive tree," she told the people. "It will give you olives to eat, and oil, and wood."

The people looked upon the new tree, and then the undrinkable water, and quickly decided. They proclaimed Athene the patroness of the city, and renamed it Athens. She was honored above all other gods, and she protected and guided the people of Athens so that the city became even greater and more beautiful.

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