Akademos

Academos or Hekademos (Greek Ἀκάδημος or Ἑκάδημος ) was an Athenian hero. He saved - as reported by Plutarch in his biography of Theseus - the city from destruction by Helen's twin brothers Castor and Pollux. The 50 -year-old widowed Theseus had abducted and hidden the 12 - year-old beauty. The brothers threatened to destroy Athens. Academos knew the hiding place and betrayed it to the brothers. So it was that had been worshiped as the savior of Athens, as a protection and patronage. One dedicated to him a sacred grove on the outskirts of Athens, in the north- west of the city. He should be buried according to the announcement.

This olive grove bought Plato around 388 BC and made ​​him the first "philosophical garden " to have a discussion forum for its many students. A little later he built a school there that - was called the "Academic School " and later Academy - according to the name of the grove. From this short name to the present name derives for learned societies.