Possible Clues:

• Old city falling short of ideal
• One of the oldest Greek cities, not quite the first
• Greek city of Oedipus
• Article on uncompleted highest city in Egypt
• Not quite the finest Greek city
• Ancient city's goddess held in reflective way
• Old rival of Athens
• Rival of ancient Athens
• 'Ancient City's Goddess,' penned by Eliot
• Greek city founded by Cadmus