According to police, the man attacked the couple at around 8:05 am (0505 GMT), five minutes after the opening of the gates to the 5th-century BC Parthenon temple, which at its summer peak receives an average 17,000 visitors a day.
He caused minor injuries to the hand of the 48-year-old woman, whilst the 53-year-old man suffered more serious injuries to his leg. Both were taken to hospital but are not in danger, according to the Greek news agency ANA.
Police arrested the attacker who, according to Greek media, is in his sixties and suffers from mental health issues.
Greek courts had ordered him to be admitted to a psychiatric hospital on several occasions, according to the news website News247.
This is a developing story and more information will follow.
