Crossword Genius

Heat melted both poles and capital (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

athens

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'capital' is the definition.
(capital of Greece)

'heat melted both poles' is the wordplay.
'melted' is an anagram indicator.
'both poles' becomes 'ns' (north and south poles. I am not sure about the 'both' bit.).
'heat' is an anagram of 'athe'.
'athe'+'ns'='ATHENS'

'and' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for athens that I've seen before include "6 capital" , "City of the Parthenon" , "Mediterranean capital" , "Hasten to Greece" , "Capital of Greece" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app