Encyclopædia Britannica, Ninth Edition/Acropolis

For works with similar titles, see Acropolis.

Acropolis (Ἀκρόπολις), a word signifying the upper town, or chief place of a city, a citadel, usually on the summit of a rock or hill. Such buildings were common in Greek cities; and they are also found elsewhere, as in the case of the Capitol at Rome, and the Antonia at Jerusalem; but the most celebrated was that at Athens, the remains of which still delight and astonish travellers. It was enclosed by walls, portions of which show traces of extreme antiquity. It had nine gates; the principal one was a splendid structure of Pentelican marble, in noble Doric architecture, which bore the name of Propylaia. Besides other beautiful edifices, it contains the Παρθενών, or temple of the virgin goddess Athene, the most glorious monument of ancient Grecian architecture.

Ground plan of the Acropolis of Athens.

Ground plan of the Acropolis of Athens.

a Pedestal of Rome and Augustus.
b, c, d, Sites of temples of Minerva, Diana, and Venus.
e, Erectheium.
f, Dionysiac theatre.
g, Odeon of Herodes.
h and o, Grottoes.
i, Ruined mosque.
k, l, Gate and portico
m, Choragie monument of Thrasycles, now church of our lady of the grotto.
n, n, Remains of Pelasgie wall.
p, u, Walls of outworks, &c.
s, Gate to Propylæa.
q, r, t, Forts.
u, v, Ancient walls.