Athens

 (Greek: Αθήνα, Athí̱na; Ancient Greek: Ἀθῆναι, Athēnai) is the capital city of.

Mario is Missing
Athens appears in the DOS and SNES versions of Mario is Missing!. In both versions, it is part of the second set of five levels. During the events of the game, Athens is invaded by many Koopa Troopas, who steal a Caryatid from the Erechtheion Temple, a Brass Plaque from Hadrian's Arch, a column from the Parthenon, and (solely in the DOS and Deluxe releases) a Foustanella from the Presidential Palace. Luigi is required to find the stolen objects and return them to their respective landmarks.

Additionally, Luigi must speak to the locals to find out what city he's in. He can then call Yoshi using the Globulator, allowing him to get rid of the Pokey blocking the exit to the city. He can receive the following information:


 * Boy:
 * ''"It's extremely easy. This nation is the southernmost country in Europe."
 * ''"Would you know if I slipped and joked that this place is 'Greece-y'?"
 * Tourist:
 * ''"I got the drachmas. Bring on those famous Greek dramas."
 * ''"Let's get loose and party with Zeus. He may be home on Olympus, I guess it's hit or myth."
 * Reporter:
 * ''"Can I convince you, sirrah, it's the southernmost tip of the Balkan Peninsula?"
 * ''"Just as it happens, I'm an expert on Athens. If you have any questions, keep asking."
 * Scientist:
 * ''"Athens became the capital of Greece in 1834. But it was founded three thousand years before."
 * ''"Beware of Greeks bearing gifts, is what they used to say. I don't believe it applies today."
 * Police Officer:
 * ''"Welcome to Athens, Greece, that is. Zorba was here but left for the Acropolis."

Mario's Time Machine
In Mario's Time Machine, Mario travels back in time to ancient Athens circa 369 BC after Bowser travels back to Athens himself to steal a copy of the Republic from Plato. At the time, Plato was actively teaching at the Academy that he founded, and his student, Aristotle, was also branching out into his own form of philosophy. As Mario did not know that the book in his possession belonged to Plato, he talked to the other inhabitants of Athens, including Aristotle, a, a writer, and an enslaved woman, about the area. Most of them end up talking about Plato and his philosophy, though. Eventually, Mario can go to the Academy and return the Republic to Plato before leaving Athens.

Trivia

 * The police officer's comment references the 1946 novel that was adapted into a 1964 film, .