Why is Athens in plural?

Recently my brother asked me a quiz question, why is Athens in plural in many languages, like in English? I answered that because it was plural originally, Athenai in ancient Greek, and thus has been translated in plural to other languages. But this got me thinking, and researching the topic more. My brother knew that Athens was originally formed of many villages or settlements that merged into one city, but the name remained in plural. This is not true of only Athens, but many other ancient cities had the same origin behind their names.

 

Synoikism

It is indeed true that very many ancient cities, both in Greece and elsewhere, had their origins in the merging of several smaller communities into a single larger city. For example the town of Kyaneai in Lykia was formed of perhaps three towns. This phenomenon was common for the Greek city-states, and the ancient Greeks had a word to describe it: συνοικισμóς (synoikismos), anglicized as synoecism or synoikism.

A myth about the founding of Tegea, an important polis in Arkadia, Peloponnesos, tells us how an ancient city could be formed out of numerous smaller components. According to the myth, the city of Tegea was founded by prince Tegeates, a son of king Lykaon of Arkadia, who had 50 sons, most of whom founded cities bearing their names. Prince Tegeates had dwelt originally in eight, afterwards nine townships, or demoi. In the Archaic period the nine demoi joined together in a synoikismos to form one city, which became called Tegea. The names of these nine demoi were: Gareatai (Γαρεᾶται), Phylakeis (Φυλακεῖς), Karyatai (Καρυᾶται), Korytheis (Κορυθεῖς), Potakhidai (Πωταχίδαι), Oiatai (Οἰᾶται), Manthyreis (Μανθυρεῖς), Ekheuetheis (Εχευήθεἱς), and Apheidantes (Ἀφείδαντες) as the latest. Many of these demoi themselves had plural names, and although Tegea itself as a singular name (named after the prince), many cities might have acquired their plural names from the multitude of demoi that joined together to form them. 

 

The myth about the origins of the name of Athens

The Athenians themselves had an origin myth regarding the name of their city. According to the myth there was a contest between the goddess Athena the sea-god Poseidon over who should be chosen as the city's patron deity. Both Athena and Poseidon demanded their name to be used in the city's name, and offered godly gifts to please the inhabitants. Poseidon struck his trident in the ground, and three streams of (salty) water started to pour from the holes. This symbolised naval power. Athena grew an olive tree on the Akropolis, signifying peace and prosperity. Because the first king of the city, Kekrops, had seen Athena's olive tree first (or because it was considered more useful gift), he choose the olive tree, and Athena became forever the guardian goddess of the city, which was named in her honour. The city had been previously called Kekropia after its first king, and even before that it had been called Akte, according to the Greek myth.

The Athenians thought themselves to be autokhthonous, indigenous to the region, never having moved there from anywhere, but instead having grown straight out of the ground. In reality they of course came from somewhere, even though it is not certain from where. The region of Athens has seen human dwelling since the Neolithic period, from before 3000 BCE. In the late Bronze Age, ca. 1200 BCE Athens was a Mykenaian city, and its akropolis was fortified with a wall. This probably marked the union of the 12 towns of Attika under the leadership of Athens, an event sed to be performed by Theseus, the legendary king of Athens.

 

The modern knowledge of the etymology of Athens

The city was named after the Greek goddess of war and wisdom, Ἀθηνᾶ (Athēnâ) or Ἀθήνη (Athḗnē). The origin of her name is not certain, it probably comes from some lost Pre-Greek language. There were a few variations of her name, Athena is the version used in the Attic dialect of Ancient Greek language, that was spoken in the Attic peninsula, where the city of Athens is located.

The city formed organically when a group of smaller settlements gradually merged into one. These were the demoi (singular demos), or peoples that formed the Athenian polis, or city-state. Thus they were called in plural Ἀθῆναι (Athênai), the (many) Athens, meaning the settlements of the goddess Athena.

From Ancient Greek name Ἀθῆναι (Athênai), the city became known in Latin as Athēnae, as Greek plural suffix -ai corresponds to Latin -ae. From the accusative form of the Latin name (Athēnās) it was borrowed into Old French as Athenes or Atenes, and in the Anglo-Saxon period to Old English as Athēnas, where -as was the plural ending. Later, in the Middle English period, the wovel was lost, and the name of the city became just Athens.

The name of Athens remains in plural in the following European languages: English (Athens), French (Athènes), Portuguese (Atenas), and Spanish (Atenas), but has transformed into singular form in the following: Albanian (Athinë), Czech (Athény, Atény), Dutch (Athene), Estonian (Ateena), Finnish (Ateena), German (Athen), Greek (Αθήνα, Athína), Hungarian (Athén), Italian (Atene), Romanian (Atena), Russian (Афины, Афин, Afiny, Afin), Swedish (Aten), Turkish (Atina), and Ukrainian (Афіни, Afiny).

 

Other Greek cities with plural names

Athens is not the only ancient city with a plural name. Other famous ancient Greek cities such as Delphoi (Delphi), Megara, Mykenai (Mycenae), Syrakousai (Syracuse), and Thebai (Thebes) are all in plural. Most of these names are feminine plurals (ending with -ai), but for example Delphoi is a masculine plural (ending with -oi), and Megara is a neuter plural (ending with -a). Some of them have retained their plural suffices in modern languages, as in English: Thebes (with English plural suffix -s) and Mycenae (with Latin plural suffix -ae).

In modern Greek language many of the plural endings of cities and places, mostly in the cases of feminine words, have been replaced by singular names. Examples of these include Akharnai > Αχαρνές (Acharnés), Mykenai > Μυκήνες (Mykines), Patrai > Πάτρα (Pátra), Plataiai > Πλαταιές (Plataies), Thermopylai > Θερμοπύλες (Thermopyles), and Thebai > Θήβα (Thíva).

Many of these other plural city names have also retained their grammatical numbers in English and several other modern languages, often through Latinization, such as English: Acharnae, Mycenae, Patras, Thermopylae, and Thebes. In my own language Finnish (which is a non-Indo-European language), many of these names are changed to singular ones, through the influence of Swedish and German: Ateena, Mykene, Teeba, but others (not so well known names) remain unchainged in grammatical number: Akharnai, Patras, Plataiai, Termopylai.

Other possible explanations of plural names besides synoikism

Merging of several communities into one town or city is not the only explanation of why a certain city has a plural name. Probably we will never know all the reasons why some names are plural and some singular, and I don't have nearly enough time to research each individual case, since they number in the hundreds at least. However, these are two examples of towns or cities that have plural names, which are apparently not based on them being merged together from several communities.

First is the town of Pylai (Πύλαι), modern Yalova, in the ancient region of Bithynia, in modern northwestern Turkey, on the coast of the sea of Marmara. In Antiquity and for most of the Middle Ages, the town was known as Pylae or Pylai (Πύλαι), which is Greek for "gates" since it was positioned at the start of one of the main routes to Asia for anyone crossing the Sea of Marmara into Bithynia from Europe.

The second example has the same name as the Greek capital, Athenae or Athenai (Ἀθῆναι), but is a different city. It was a city and port of ancient Pontus (also in modern Turkey, at the coast of the Black Sea), which had a Greek temple of Athena. According to Arrianos, it was 180 stadia east of the river Adienos, and 280 stadia west of Apsaros. Prokopios writes that the name of the village came from a woman called Athenaia (Ἀθηναία), who in earlier times ruled over the land. Prokopios is also of the opinion that the name of the city does not come from Athenian colonists settling it, as some others believed. He also adds that the tomb of the woman was still there. We will never know for sure which version is correct, but these examples present different explanations for why some ancient towns and cities have plural names.

 

List of ancient Greek cities with plural names

The following is a list of ancient Greek, and Graecophone (Greek speaking) towns and cities of the Ancient world, compiled together from various lists. The cities are chosen by their existing name in Ancient Greek, and not everyone of them is a Greek city per se. Many names are probably lost to me (and to modern people in general), but this list includes all I have managed to find during half a year of searching. The list includes 236 examples from all over the Mediterranean world, mostly from Greece, Italy, and Turkey, the main areas of Greek settlement. The cities are arranged alphabetically according to the Latin alphabet, starting with their romanized names (not the names used by Romans, just the Greek names written in Latin alphabet). Thus names starting with both Π (Pi) and Φ (Phi) are listed under P, and because Φ was pronounced with a hard Ph sound and not as F in Ancient Greek. I have included modern place names too, if the place is not abandoned, like many of them are.

A

Abai (Ἄβαι), near modern Kalapodi, in Phokis, Greece

Aigai (Αἰγαί), near modern Akrata, in Akhaia, Greece

Aigai (Αἰγαί) or Aigaiai (Αἰγαῖαι), near modern Yuntdağı Köseler, in Aiolis, Turkey

Aigai (Αἰγαί), close to modern Vergina, in Makedonia, Greece

Aigos Potamoi (Αἰγὸς Ποταμοί), in Hellespontos, Turkey

Airai (Αἰραί), in Ionia, Turkey

Aithalidai (Αἰθαλίδαι), in Attika, Greece

Akharnai (Ἀχαρναί), modern Acharnes, a demos of Athens, Attika, Greece

Akrai (Ἄκραι), modern Palazzolo Acreide, in Sicily, Italy

Akriai (Ἀκριαί) or Akraiai (Ἀκραῖαι), near modern Kokkinia, in Lakonia, Greece

Akrillai (Ἄκριλλαι), modern Chiaramonte Gulfi, in Sicily, Italy

Alalkomenai (Ἀλαλκομέναι), near modern Solinari, in Boiotia, Greece

Alalkomenai (Ἀλαλκομέναι), in modern Aëtos, in Ithaka, Greece

Alkomenai (Ἀλκομεναί) or Alalkomenai (Ἀλαλκομ́εναι), near modern Bučin, in Pelagonia, North Makedonia 

Amphanai (Ἀμφαναί), in Thessalia (Pelasgiotis), Greece

Amyklai (Ἀμύκλαι), near modern Amykles, in Lakonia, Greece

Aperlai (Ἄπερλαι), in Lykia, Turkey

Aphetai (Ἀφεταί), near modern Platania, in Thessalia (Magnesia), Greece 

Aphidnai (Ἀφίδναι) or Aphidna (Ἄφιδνα), near modern Afidnes, in Attika, Greece

Argeathai (Αργέαθαι), in Arkadia, Greece

Aristonautai (Ἀριστοναῦται), near modern Xylokastro, in Akhaia, Greece 

Arneai (Ἀρνεαί), near modern Ernes, in Lykia, Turkey 

Athenai (Ἀθῆναι), in Attika, Greece

Athenai (Ἀθῆναι), in Boiotia, Greece

Athenai (Ἀθῆναι), near modern Pazar, in Pontus, Turkey 

Augeiai (Αὐγειαί), probably the same as Aigiai (Αἰγίαι), in Lakonia, Greece

Aulai (Αυλαί), in Lykia, Turkey 

Auridai (Αὐρίδαι), in Attika, Greece

 

B 

Bassai (Βάσσαι), in Messenia, Greece

Batiai (Βατίαι), near modern Kastri, in Epeiros, Greece 

Berenikidai (Βερενικίδαι), in Attika, Greece

Boiai (Βοιαί), near modern Neapoli Voion, in Lakonia, Greece

Boioi (Βοιοι), on the shore of lake Ohrid, Albania

Bolbai (Βόλβαι), in Karia, Turkey

Botakhidai (Βωταχίδαι), in Arkadia, Greece

Boutadai (Βουτάδαι), in Athens, Attika, Greece 

Bragylai (Βραγύλαι), in Makedonia, Greece 

Bryseai (Βρυσειαί), in Lakonia, Greece

 

D

Daidalidai (Δαιδαλίδαι), near modern Katsipodi, in Attika, Greece

Danedebai (Δανεδέβαι), in Dacia, Romania 

Daseai (Δασέαι), near modern Apiditsa, in Arkadia, Greece 

Dairadiotai (Δειραδιῶται), near modern Daskaleio, in Attika, Greece 

Delphoi (Δελφοί), in Phokis, Greece

 

E

Eiresiai (Ειρεσίαι), in Thessalia (Magnesia), Greece 

Eiresidai (Εἰρεσίδαι), near modern Kolonos, in Attika, Greece

Ekheiai (Έχειαί), on the borderland between Lakonia and Messenia, Greece

Ekhelidai (Ἐχελίδαι), in Attika, Greece

Elekosmioi (Ἐλεκοσμιοι), near modern Elegmi, in Bithynia, Turkey

Eleutherai (Ἐλευθεραί), in Attika, Greece 

Eleutherai (Ἐλευθεραί), in Lykia, Turkey 

Enkhelanai (Ενχελαναι), on the shore of lake Ohrid, Albania

Epieikidai (Ἐπιεικίδαι), in Attika, Greece

Epizephyrioi Lokroi (Ἐπιζεφύριοι Λοκροί), modern Locri, in Calabria, Italy 

Erai (Ἐραί) or Gerai (Γεραί), in Ionia, Turkey

Eroiadai (Antiokhis) (Ἐροιάδαι), in Attika, Greece

Eroiadai (Hippothontis) (Ἐροιάδαι), near modern Chaidari, in Attika, Greece 

Erythrai (Ἐρυθραί), modern Erythres, in Boiotia, Greece

Erythrai (Ἐρυθραί), in Ionia, Turkey

Erythrai (Ἐρυθραί), near modern Phrantzi, in Thessalia (Ainis), Greece

Eupyridai (Εὐπυρίδαι), near modern Kamatero, in Attika, Greece

Eureaioi (Εὐρεαῖοι) or Eurea (Εὒρεα), in Thessalia (Magnesia or Pelasgiatis), Greece

Eurymenai (Εὐρυμεναί) or Erymnai (Ὲρυμναί), in Thessalia (Magnesia), Greece

Euryteiai (Εὐρυτειαί), in Akhaia, Greece

 

G

Gagai (Γάγαι), in Lykia, Turkey 

Gareatai (Γαρεᾶται) or Garea (Γαρεᾶ), in Arkadia, Greece

Gatheai (Γαθεαί), near modern Chirades, in Arkadia, Greece

Geronthrai (Γερόνθραι), near modern Geraki, in Lakonia, Greece

Gerriadai (Γερριαδαι), near modern Sığacık Liman, in Ionia, Turkey 

Glaphyrai (Γλαφυραί), near modern Glafira, in Thessalia (Magnesia), Greece 

Gomphoi (Γόμφοι), near modern Mouzaki, in Thessalia (Histiaiotis), Greece

Gonnoi (Γόννοι) or Gonnos (Γόννος), near modern Gonnoi, in Thessalia (Perrhaibia), Greece

 

H 

Haimoniai (Αἱμονιαί), near modern Perivolia / Rousvanaga, in Arkadia, Greece 

Halai (Ἁλαί), near modern Theologos, in Lokris, Greece 

Halai Aixonides (Ἁλαὶ Αἰξωνίδες), near modern Voula, in Attika, Greece 

Halai Araphenides (Ἁλαὶ Ἀραφηνίδες), near modern Artemida, in Attika, Greece 

Haliai (Ἁλιαί) or Halieis (Ἁλιεῖς), near modern Porto Cheli, in Argolis, Greece

Hippotai (Ἱππόται), in Boiotia, Greece

Hippotomadai (Ἱπποτομάδαι), in Attika, Greece

Homilai (Ὅμιλαι), near modern Kouvelo Kastro / Kastro Orias, in Thessalia, Greece

Hybadai (Ὑβάδαι), in Attika, Greece 

Hydai (Ὑδαι) or Kydai (Κυδαι), near modern Damlarboğaz, in Karia, Turkey

Hyporeiai (Ὑπώρειαι), in Akarnania, Greece 

Hysiai (Ὑσιαί) or Hysia (Ὑσία), near modern Achladokampos, in Argolis, Greece

Hysiaia (Ὑσιαί) or Hysia (Ὑσία), near modern Kriekouki in Erythres, in Boiotia, Greece

 

I

Idomenai (Ἰδομεναί) or Eidomenai (Ἐιδομεναί), in Makedonia (Parorbelia), Greece

Ikhnai (Ἴχναι), in modern Koufalia, Makedonia, Greece

Ikhnai (Ἴχναι), in Thessalia, Greece

Ionidai (Ἰωνίδαι), near modern Draphi, in Attika, Greece

Iphistiadai (Ἰφιστιάδαι) or Hephaistiadai (Ἡφαιστιάδαι), near modern Marousi, in Attika, Greece

 

K

Kalamai (Καλάμαι), near modern Elaiochori, in Messenia, Greece

Kalliai (Καλλίαι), in Arkadia, Greece

Kamakai (Καμακαί) or Kemakai (Κεμακαί), in Makedonia (Khalkidike), Greece 

Kanai (Κάναι), modern Kane, in Aiolis, Turkey  

Kaphyai (Καφύαι), modern Chotoussa, in Arkadia, Greece

Karyai (Καρύαι), near modern Analipsis, in Arkadia, Greece

Karyai (Κάρυαι), near modern Karyes, in Lakonia, Greece

Karyatai (Καρυᾶται), in Arkadia, Greece

Kasmenai (Κασμέναι), in Sicily, Italy

Keiriadai (Κειριάδαι), in Athens, Attika, Greece

Kenkhreai (Κεγχρεαί) or Kenkhreiai (Κεγχρειαί), near modern Palaio Skafidaki, in Argolis, Greece

Kenkhreai (Κεγχρεαί), modern Kechries, in Korinthia, Greece

Kenkhreai (Κεγχρεαί), near modern Kayalı Dağ, in Troias, Turkey 

Kepoi (Κῆποι), in Krasnodar Krai, Russia 

Khaitai (Χαῖται), in Makedonia (Mygdonia), Greece

Khelai (Χῆλαι), near modern Cebice, in Bithynia, Turkey

Khelai (Χῆλαι), near modern Keçili Liman, in Bithynia (Bosporos), Turkey 

Kholleidai (Χολλεῖδαι) or Khollidai (Χολλίδαι), in Attika, Greece

Khytroi (Χῦτροι), in Kypros, Greece

Klazomenai (Κλαζομεναί), near modern İzmir, in Ionia, Turkey

Kleonai (Κλεωναί), in Argolis, Greece

Kleonai (Κλεωναί), near modern Daphne (Mount Athos), in Makedonia (Khalkidike), Greece

Kleitai (Κλειταί), in Bithynia, Turkey

Klitai (Κλῖται), near modern Xylokeratia, in Makedonia (Mygdonia), Greece 

Kolonai (Antiokhis) (Κολωναί), near modern Varnava Tower, in Attika, Greece

Kolonai (Leontis) (Κολωναί), near modern Michaleza, in Attika, Greece

(hai) Kolonai (αἱ Κολωναί), near modern Alemşah, in Troias, Turkey

Kolonai (Κολωναί), near modern Beyçayırı, in Troias (Hellespontos), Turkey 

Kolossai (Κολοσσαί), in Phrygia, Turkey 

Kopai (Κῶπαι), near modern Topolia, in Boiotia, Greece

Korakai (Κορακαί), in Thessalia (Magnesia), Greece

Korophaioi (Κοροφαῖοι), in Thessalia (Ainis), Greece

Korsiai (Κορσίαι) or Thebai Korsikai (Θῆβαι Κορσίκαι), near Thebes, in Boiotia, Greece

Kothokidai (Κοθωκίδαι), near modern Aspropyrgos, in Attika, Greece 

Kranai (Κρανάη), an island, in Lakonia, Greece

Kranioi (Κράνιοι), in Kephalonia, Greece 

Krokeai (Κροκέαι), in Lakonia, Greece

Krounoi (Κρουνοί), modern Balchik, in Bulgaria 

Kumai (Κύμαι) or Kume (Κύμη), in Aiolis, Turkey

Kumai (Κύμαι) or Kume (Κύμη), near modern Naples, in Campania, Italy

Kyaneai (Κυανέαι), in Lykia, Turkey

Kydantidai (Κυδαντίδαι), near modern Mendeli Monastery, in Attika, Greece

Kynoskephalai (Κυνὸς κεφαλαί), in Boiotia, Greece 

Kyretiai (Χυρετίαι), modern Domeniko, in Thessalia (Perraibia), Greece

 

L

Lakiadai (Λακιάδαι), in Attika, Greece

Lamptrai Kathyperthen (Λαμπτραὶ καθύπερθεν), near modern Lambrika, in Attika, Greece 

Lamptrai Paraliai (Λαμπτραὶ παράλιαι), near modern Kitsi, in Attika, Greece

Ledrai (Λῆδραι), in Kypros, Greece

Leontinoi (Λεοντῖνοι), modern Lentini, in Sicily, Italy

Leukai (Λεῦκαι) or Leuke (Λεύκη), at modern Üçtepeler, in Ionia, Turkey

Leukai (Λεῦκαι), near modern Molaoi, in Lakonia, Greece

Limnai (Λίμναι), near modern Volimnos, in Lakonia, Greece

Limnai (Λίμναι), in Lakonia, Greece (different than the previous)

Limnai (Λίμναι), near modern Hersek, in Bithynia, Turkey

 

M

Makareai (Μακαρέαι) or Makaria (Μακαρία), near modern Alfeios, in Arkadia, Greece

Makkarai (Μακκάραι), near modern Arabises, in Thessalia (Pharsalos), Greece

Megara (Μέγαρα), in Megaris, Greece

Melainai (Μέλαιναι) or Kelainai (Κέλαιναι), in Attika, Greece

Melainai (Μελαιναί), in Lykia, Turkey

Melainai (Μέλαιναι), in Thera (Santorini), Greece

Melaineai (Μελαινεαί) or Melainai (Μελαιναί), near modern Kakouraika, in Arkadia, Greece

Messapeai (Μεσσαπέαι), in Lakonia, Greece

Misgomenai (Μισγομεναί), in Thessalia, Greece 

Mylai (Μυλαί), in Thessalia (Perraibia), Greece 

Mylai (Μύλαι), modern Milazzo, in Sicily, Italy

Mykenai (Μυκῆναι) or Mykene (Μυκήνη), near modern Mykines, in Argolis, Greece

Myrai (Μύραι), in Thessalia (Magnesia), Greece

 

N

Nysai (Νῦσαι) or Nysa (Νῦσα), in Boiotia, Greece

 

O

Oiai (Οἶαι), in Rhodos, Greece

Oiatai (Οἰᾶται), in Arkadia, Greece

Oineiadai (Οἰνειάδαι), in Akarnania, Greece 

Oiniadai (Οἰνιάδαι), in Thessalia (Oitaia), Greece

Olpai (Ὄλπαι), in Akarnania, Greece 

Onkai (Ὄγκαι), in Arkadia, Greece

Orneai (Ὀρνέαι), near modern Lyrkeia, in Argolis, Greece

Oxoniai (Ὀξωνιαί), in Thessalia (Magnesia), Greece

 

P 

Pagasai (Παγασαί), in Thessalia (Magnesia), Greece 

Paionidai (Παιονίδαι), in Attika, Greece

Pambotadai (Παμβωτάδαι), in Attika, Greece 

Parakheloïtai (Παραχελωίται) or Parakheloitas (Παραχελωίτας), in Thessalia, Greece 

Patrai (Πάτραι), modern Patras, in Akhaia, Greece

Pegai (Πεγαι), in Megaris, Greece 

Peirai (Πειραί), in Akhaia, Greece

Peiresiai (Πειρεσίαι), in Thessalia (Magnesia), Greece

Perithoidai (Περιθοῖδαι), near Athens, in Attika, Greece 

Perrhidai (Περρίδαι), in Attika, Greece 

Phalaisiai (Φαλαισίαι), near modern Bura, in Arkadia, Greece

Pharai (Φαραί), in Akhaia, Greece

Pharai (Φαραί), in Boiotia, Greece

Pharai (Φαραί), in Messenia, Greece

Pharai (Φαραί), in Krete, Greece (founded by colonists of Pharai, Messenia)

Pherai (Φεραί), in Thessalia, Greece

Philaidai (Φιλαΐδαι), near Brauron, in Attika, Greece

Philippoi (Φίλιπποι), in Makedonia, Greece

Phoiteiai (Φοιτεῖαι) or Phytia (Φυτία), in Akarnania, Greece

Phrearrhioi (Φρεάρριοι), near modern Olymbos, in Attika, Greece 

Phylakai (Φυλακαὶ) or Phylake (Φυλακή), in Makedonia (Pieria), Greece 

Phyrragioi (Φυρράγιοι), in Thessalia, Greece

Pithekousai (Πιθηκοῦσαι), modern Ischia, in Campania, Italy

Plataiai (Πλαταιαί), near modern Plataies, in Boiotia, Greece

Pleiai (Πλεῖαι) or Palaia (Παλαιά), near modern Apidea, in Lakonia, Greece

Potakhidai (Πωταχίδαι), in Arkadia, Greece

Potamoi (Ποταμοί), near modern Pendik, in Bithynia, Turkey

Potniai (Πότνιαι), near modern Takhi, in Boiotia, Greece 

Prasiai (Πρασίαι), in Attika, Greece 

Prasiai (Πρασιαί) or Brasiai (Βρασιαί), near modern Paralio Leonidi, in Lakonia, Greece

Pronnoi (Πρόννοι), in Kephalonia, Greece

Proochthoi (Πρωχθοι) or Brochthoi (Βροχθοι), near modern Kandilli, in Bithynia, Turkey

Pylai (Πύλαι), in Arkadia, Greece

Pylai (Πύλαι), modern Yalova, in Bithynia, Turkey

 

R

Rhaiteai (Ῥαιτέαι), in Arkadia (Kynouria), Greece

Rhypai (Ῥύπαι) or Rhypes (Ῥύπες), near modern Koumari, in Akhaia, Greece

Rouphinianai (Ρουφινιαναί) or Drys (Δρῦς), near modern Caddebostan, in Bithynia, Turkey

 

S

Seirai (Σειραί), in Arkadia, Greece   

Semakhidai (Σημαχίδαι), near modern Vredou, in Attika, Greece 

Serrai (Σέρραι) or Siris (Σίρις), modern Serres, Makedonia (Odomantike), Greece

Siloi (Σιλοι), in Karia, Turkey

Siphai (Σῖφαι) or Tipha (Τίφα), near modern Aliki, in Boiotia, Greece

Skambonidai (Σκαμβωνίδαι), in modern Athens, Attika, Greece

Skithai (Σκίθαι), in Makedonia (Khalkidike), Greece

Soloi (Σόλοι), in Kypros, Greece 

Sperkhiai (Σπέρχεια) or Sperkheiai (Σπερχείαι), in modern Kastrorakhi, Thessalia (Ainis), Greece

Sybridai (Συβρίδαι), in Attika, Greece 

Syrakousai (Συράκουσαι), modern Syracuse, in Sicily, Italy

 

T

Thalamai (Θαλάμαι), in Elis, Greece

Thalamai (Θαλάμαι), near modern Thalames, in Lakonia, Greece

Thebai (Θῆβαι), modern Thiva (Θήβα) (singular), in Boiotia, Greece

Thebai (Θῆβαι), near modern Doğanbey, in Ionia, Turkey

Thebai Phthiotides (Θῆβαι Φθιώτιδες) or Thebai Thessalikai (Θῆβαι Θεσσαλικαἰ), near modern Mikrothivai, in Thessalia, Greece 

Thenai (Θεναί), in Arkadia, Greece

Therapnai (Θεράπναι), in Boiotia, Greece 

Thermai Himeraiai (Θερμαί Ἰμεραίαι), founded to replace Himera, modern Termini Imerese, in Sicily, Italy

Thermai Selinuntiai (Θέρμαι Σελινούντιαι), modern Sciacca, in Sicily, Italy

Thermopylai (Θερμοπύλαι), now called Thermopyles (not a city, but a place), in Malis, Greece

Thespiai (Θεσπιαί), near modern Thespies, in Boiotia, Greece

Thisbai (Θίσβαι) or Thisbe (Θίσβη), modern Vathý, in Boiotia, Greece 

Thorai (Θοραί), near modern Agios Demetrios Trapuria, in Attika, Greece 

Thourioi (Θούριοι), in Bruttium, Italy 

Thymoitadai (Θυμοιτάδαι) or Thymaitadai (Θυμαιτάδαι), near modern Keratsini, in Attika, Greece

Thyreai (Θυρέαι) or Thyrea (Θυρέα), in Kynouria, Greece

Thyrgonidai (Θυργωνίδαι), in Attika, Greece

Titakidai (Τιτακίδαι), in Attika, Greece 

Tragasai (Τραγασαί), near modern Tuzla, in Troias, Turkey

Tripoiai (Τριποιαί) or Tripoai (Τριποαί), in Makedonia (Bottiaia), Greece 

Typaneai (Τυπανέαι) or Tympaneai (Τυμπανέαι), near modern Vresto, in Elis, Greece 

Tyrmeidai (Τυρμεῖδαι), in Attika, Greece 

 

X

Xyniai (Ξυνίαι), in modern Koromilia / Nisi, Thessalia (Phthiotis), Greece 

 

Sources:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Athens

https://www.britannica.com/place/Athens/History

https://www.theoi.com/Heros/Kekrops.html

https://fi.wiktionary.org/wiki/Ateena

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_ancient_Greek_cities 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Greek_city-states

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Cities_in_ancient_Greece

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_cities_in_ancient_Acarnania

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Achaean_city-states 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Populated_places_in_ancient_Achaea 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Populated_places_in_ancient_Aeolis

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Arcadian_city-states

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Populated_places_in_ancient_Arcadia

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Populated_places_in_ancient_Argolis 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Cities_in_ancient_Attica

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Populated_places_in_ancient_Attica

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Boeotian_city-states

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Populated_places_in_ancient_Boeotia 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Populated_places_in_Bithynia

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Greek_colonies_in_Chalcidice

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ten_city-kingdoms_of_Cyprus

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Populated_places_in_ancient_Elis

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_cities_in_ancient_Epirus

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_settlements_in_Illyria#Greek_Cities

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Populated_places_in_ancient_Ionia 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Lycian_place_names

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_Magnesia 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Cities_in_ancient_Macedonia 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Populated_places_in_ancient_Macedonia

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magna_Graecia

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Populated_places_in_ancient_Messenia

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Sparta

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Spartan_colonies

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Populated_places_in_ancient_Laconia

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:East_Mani 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Cities_in_ancient_Peloponnese

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Thessalian_city-states

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Populated_places_in_ancient_Thessaly

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_ancient_cities_in_Thrace_and_Dacia#Greek

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Populated_places_in_ancient_Troad