Greek Mythology: Acropolis of Athens
Ancient Greek Mythology, Religion, Art
« Back to Last Page | Photos: Ancient Greek Mythology, Religion, Art in Athens »
The word acropolis simply refers to the upper part of a town (Greek: acros = top, polis = city). The term can be used to refer to the high point of any town, especially if fortified, and it can be used more specifically for the fortified hills in particular Greek cities. Usually, however, people are familiar with the word because of its association with the Acropolis in Athens, Greece.
Although the Acropolis of Athens is a very ancient site, it's actually even older than most people realize. The temples and other religious structures there date only to the 6th and 5th centuries BCE, but archaeologists have found there very wealthy tombs from the 14th century BCE.
During the 13th century it was a heavily fortified Mycenaean citadel with a complex water-supply system and wide-spread communities in and around the hilltop have been dated to the 12th century BCE. The Acropolis has, then, been a major center of Greek civilization for over 24 centuries.
click on the area above you want to learn more about
| Ancient Greek Mythology: Acropolis of Athens | |
|
|
| Acropolis of Athens Restored | Acropolis of Athens, 1920s |
|
|
| Acropolis of Athens - Model of the Ruins | Acropolis Parthenon |
|
|
| Parthenon - Elgin Marbles and the British Museum | Acropolis Propylaea |
|
|
| Erechtheion / Erechtheum | |
« Back to Last Page | Photos: Ancient Greek Mythology, Religion, Art in Athens »
