How associate starts generating capital (6)

I believe the answer is:

athens

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

I cannot understand how the remainder of the clue works.

(Other definitions for athens that I've seen before include "Hasten to Greece" , "Site of the Parthenon" , "City of the Parthenon" , "Plato's birthplace" , "Greek capital" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.

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