Apollo and Athena often took up the role of protectors of cities, and were patrons of some of the important cities.
ɐpˈɑːloʊ ænd æθˈiːnə ˈɔfən tˈʊk ˌʌp ðə ɹˈoʊl ʌv pɹətˈɛktɚz ʌv sˈɪɾiz, ænd wɜː pˈeɪtɹənz ʌv sˌʌm ʌvðɪ ɪmpˈoːɹtənt sˈɪɾiz.