Cecrops is a legendary king of Athens who is said to have reigned for fifty six years.
The name is not of Greek origin according to Strabo[1], or it might mean 'face with a tail': it is said that, born from the earth itself, he had his top half shaped like a man and the bottom half in serpent or fish-tail form...
He was the founder and the first king of Athens itself, which he is said to have founded, though preceded in the region by the earth-born king Actaeus 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.
The two raced ferociously towards the Acropolis. It was a very close race, but Athena, as judged by Cecrops, won.
As evidence of her victory she planted an olive tree. Poseidon arrived moments later, struck the acropolis with his trident and thereby created a "salt sea. But Athena had already won, and the city was hers.
The Acropolis was also known as the Cecropia in his honor. The Athenians are said to have called themselves Cecropidæ, during the reigns of the five following kings, in his honor...
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