Acropolis of Athens

The Acropolis rises above Athens on a limestone hill about 150 meters high. From many parts of the city, people look up and see the temples along the ridge. The name comes from two Greek words meaning high and city. The term describes a settlement built on elevated ground, and Athens offers one of the best known examples.

Archaeologists have found evidence of activity on the hill as early as the Bronze Age. The buildings standing today date mainly to the 5th century BCE. After Greek forces defeated the Persians, Athens gained wealth through the Delian League. Under the leadership of Pericles, the city launched a major building program around 447 BCE. Public funds supported the construction of temples and gateways that reflected civic pride and religious devotion.

The Parthenon forms the center of the complex. Architects Ictinus and Callicrates planned the structure, and the sculptor Phidias directed the decoration. Builders used Pentelic marble brought from quarries about 16 kilometers away. The temple measures about 69.5 meters in length and 30.9 meters in width. Forty six outer columns surround the inner chamber. Inside stood a large statue of Athena made of gold and ivory. Relief sculptures along the frieze show the Panathenaic procession, a festival held in honor of the goddess.

North of the Parthenon stands the Erechtheion, an Ionic temple linked to Athena and Poseidon. A porch on the south side features six sculpted female figures known as Caryatids. Each figure supports the roof in place of a column. Their poses differ slightly, and their garments show careful carving in marble. Ancient Athenians kept sacred objects in this temple, including an olive tree tied to a local myth about Athena.

Visitors entered the hilltop through the Propylaea, a monumental gateway completed in 432 BCE. Architect Mnesicles designed a central hall with wings on each side and a wide staircase leading upward. The exterior uses Doric columns, while Ionic elements appear inside. The layout directs movement toward the sacred area beyond.

On the southwest edge stands the Temple of Athena Nike. This small Ionic temple honors Athena as a bringer of victory. Slender columns frame the building, and relief panels show scenes of battle and winged figures.

The Acropolis served as a religious center and a public symbol of Athenian democracy during the 5th century BCE. Festivals took place on the hill, and citizens gathered there during major events. Today, millions of visitors walk the same paths each year. War, explosions, and pollution have damaged parts of the structures. Restoration teams continue to replace broken blocks and secure the marble. The hill remains a defining feature of Athens and connects the modern city with its ancient past.