Millions of silver coins may have been stored in Parthenon attic

Some of the fantastic riches of the ancient city-state of Athens may have been stored in the form of millions of silver coins in the attic of the Parthenon, a temple to Goddess Athena in the Acropolis. The fact that it was a temple to Athena may have been enough security because theft from it would have constituted a crime against a goddess. The gods, Athena in particular, were believed to mete out terrible punishments to people who transgressed against them.

Much of Athens' wealth was in silver coins because the precious metal was mined locally. Aeschylus called the area a fountain of silver. Another source of Athen's riches was tribute from other Greek cities that Athens then provided naval protection to. The coins were likely stored in the Parthenon's attic around the 5^th century BC.

Live Science reports new research by Canadian professor Spencer Pope and his team.