Hey, quick disclaimer, we're back in great mythology, so that means there are some mentions

of adult themes as well as sexual assault. You can find more information in the episode post

at mythpodcast.com. This week, on Myths and Legends, it's the mythical origin story of the city

of Athens. Perhaps the most famous Greek city-state that doesn't have shirtless jarab

butler yelling at strangers and kicking them into pits. You'll see how the world's first

election ended in disaster and how it led to multiple dragon kings, backstabbing, and, of course,

bird people. On the creature of the week, you'll learn which helpful animals you should hit in

the head with a hammer. Spoiler alert, it's none of them.

This is Myths and Legends, episode 109. Home.

This is a podcast where I tell stories from mythology and folklore. Some are incredibly

popular stories you think you know, but with surprising origins. Others are stories that might

be new to you, but are definitely worth a listen. The city of Athens has endured for over

3,000 years. It was one of the most powerful Greek city-states, and it's still a major world

capital to the state. It's the birthplace of democracy, the home of the Parthenon, and widely

considered to be the cradle of Western civilization. Today, we're not really talking about the history

of Athens, but the story of its royal family. We're going to start the story today with the

first king of Athens bringing the city up to a vote that would echo down through the ages,

or they were going to call their new home, destined to become one of the most well-known cities in the world.

Ah, the air was fresh. The people were out and about. It was election day.

So crops, the king of the city, had to create that he would allow the people one official patron god,

and it would be selected by vote. And so today, all the men and women had to choose from one of

two tablets to cast their vote to name the patron god of their community. Two deities were still

...