Acropolis

(noun)

A settlement, especially a citadel, built upon an area of elevated ground, frequently a hill with precipitous sides, chosen for purposes of defense. Often the nuclei of large cities of classical antiquity.

Related Terms

Examples of Acropolis in the following topics:

  • The Acropolis

    • Acropolis, Athens, Greece. c. 437-432 BCE.
    • Acropolis, Athens, Greece. c. 421-405 BCE.
    • Plan of the Acropolis and surrounding area.
    • Acropolis, Athens, Greece. c. 447-438 BCE.
    • Acropolis, Athens, Greece. c. 447-438 BCE.

  • The Propylaea and the Erechtheion

    • The Propylaia is the monumental gateway to the Acropolis.
    • It funneled all traffic to the Acropolis onto one gently sloped ramp.
    • Upon entering the Acropolis from the Propylaia, visitors were greeted by a colossal bronze statue of Athena Promachos.
    • Acropolis, Athens, Greece. ca. 421-405 BCE.
    • Acropolis, Athens, Greece. ca. 437-432 BCE.

  • The Temple of Athena Nike

    • The Temple of Athena Nike stands on the parapet of the Acropolis, to the southwest and to the right of the Propylaea.
    • This style is found elsewhere on the Acropolis, such as on the Caryatids and on the women in the Parthenon's pediment.
    • Temple of Athena Nike, Acropolis, Athens, Greece.
    • Acropolis, Athens, Greece.

  • The Parthenon

    • Today the Parthenon is considered the crowning element on the Acropolis .
    • While the artist Phidias was in charge of the overall plan of the Acropolis, the architects Iktinos and Kallikrates designed and oversaw the construction of the Parthenon.
    • Acropolis, Athens, Greece. ca. 447-438 BCE.
    • Acropolis, Athens, Greece. ca. 447-438 BCE.
    • Acropolis, Athens, Greece. ca. 447-438 BCE.

  • Athenian Society

  • Urban Planning in the Greek High Classical Period

    • Before rational city planning, cities grew organically and often radiated out from a central point, such as the Acropolis and Agora at the center of Athens.
    • The acropolis, the highest part of the city, was always reserved for the city's most important temples.
    • Above the city, high on hillside was the city's acropolis.

  • The Agora

    • The Agora was located near the Acropolis, and the route of the Panathenaic Way passed through the agora on its way up the Acropolis.
    • The Agora's location in the center of the city, just below the Acropolis, notes its importance.

  • Athens

    • Athens moved to abandon the pretense of parity among its allies, and relocated the Delian League treasury from Delos to Athens, where it funded the building of the Athenian Acropolis, put half its population on the public payroll, and maintained the dominant naval power in the Greek world.
    • The Assembly met in front of the Acropolis and decided on laws and decrees.

  • Pergamon

    • The Acropolis of Pergamon is a prime example of Hellenistic architecture and the convergence of nature and architectural design to create dramatic and theatrical sites.
    • The acropolis was built into and on top a steep hill that commands great views of the surrounding countryside.
    • Both the upper and lower portions of the acropolis were home to many important structures of urban life, including gymnasiums, agorae, baths, libraries, a theater, shrines, temples, and altars.

  • Archaic Greece