Acropolis

Acropolis: Old Temple

Between the Parthenon and the Erechtheion a careful observer can make out the foundations of an old temple dating to the 6th century BCE. With time it came to be known as the “Old Temple” for it was several times…
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Erechtheion

While the Parthenon was the most imposing temple on the Acropolis, another building, the Erechtheion was built to accommodate the religious rituals that the old temple housed. Construction of the Erechtheion began in 420 while the Peloponnesian war was interrupted…
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Propylaea

The Προπύλαια (Propylaea, Propylaia) were built as a monumental entrance to the Acropolis rock. It is an imposing building that surrounds the natural entrance to the plateau, and one approached it in ancient times through an inclining ramp that led…
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Acropolis Archaeological Site

The Acropolis (Ακρόπολις) archaeological site includes monuments and artifacts going back at least to the Mycenaean era. In its 3000 years old history, the Acropolis of Athens has enjoyed a significant position both in the history to its host city,…
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Acropolis in Modern Era

The Acropolis After the Liberation of Greece In 1821, after three and a half centuries of occupation, the Greeks revolted to overthrow the Ottoman Empire from their land. During the struggle, the Acropolis changed hands several times and the monuments…
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Post-Classical Acropolis

Hellenistic, Roman, and Byzantine Eras During the Hellenistic era, the King of Pergamon, Eumenes II, commissioned the Pedestal of Agrippas to support a composition of four bronze sculptures. A few minor buildings were added, and some modifications of existing structures also…
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Classical Acropolis

The votive offerings continued at the Acropolis during the classical era (489 – 323 BCE). The Athenians built a small temple of Athena Nike right next to the Propylaia after winning a war against Boeotia and Chalcis. The Persian Wars In 499…
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Archaic Acropolis

7th Century BCE During the 7th c. BCE monumental sculpture and architecture began its development in mainland through a number of building projects in the Acropolis of Athens, at cape Sounion in the southern tip of Attica and in other…
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Prehistoric Acropolis

Stone Age The chronicle of the Acropolis of Athens is lost in prehistory, to a time even before the plane of Attica began to be cultivated. While the area around Attica was inhabited during the Upper Paleolithic period (30000 –…
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History of the Acropolis

Geology The Acropolis rock is part of a Late Cretaceous limestone ridge (Higgins) that cuts through the Attica plateau in the northeast to the southwest axis and includes the Likavitos hill, the Philopappos (Museum) hill, the hill of the Nymphs,…
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