During Cecrops' reign, both Athena and Poseidon wanted to become the guardian deity of Athens. They agreed to each offer the Athenians a gift for Cecrops to choose the one he preferred.
Poseidon struck the rock of the Acropolis with his Trident, and a spring appeared; but the water was salty and considered of little use, whereas Athena struck the rock with the Spear of Victory and an olive tree grew from it.
Cecrops determined that the olive tree was the better gift because it brought wood, oil, and food. Thus, he accepted Athena as the local guardian deity, and so the city was named Athens.
Moreover, during the reign of Erechtheus, the fourth King of Athens, it was said that he was the child of Hephaestus and the Earth, and was carefully nurtured and taught by Athena.
After him, Kings Pandion, Aegeus, and Theseus, the fifth, sixth, and seventh respectively, all received Athena's help and enlightenment to varying degrees.