Academus

An Attic hero who told the Dioscuri where their sister Helen was being held by Theseus at Aphidnae. This earned their gratitude and whenever the Lacedaemonians invaded Attica, they would always spare the land belonging to Academus which lay on the Cephissus, six stadia from Athens. The place was called Academia after its original owner. It contained a gymnasium which was used by Plato to deliver his lectures. His students were henceforth called academics.

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