Cecrops (,
Kékrops;
gen.: Κέκροπος) was a mythical king of
Athens who, according to
Eusebius reigned for fifty years. The name is not of Greek origin according to
Strabo, 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, 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.