ACROPOLIS OF ATHENS IN ANCIENT GREECE
Many cities in Ancient Greece had a central high point that was on a rocky mound, which the Greeks referred to as ‘acropolis’. For example, the word ‘acropolis’ means ‘high city’ in Greek. It was on the acropolis that important temples and buildings were often located. The most famous acropolis in Ancient Greece was the one located in Athens. It still exists today and is one of the most important historical sites in the world. In fact, it is a UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) World Heritage Site, which means it’s been identified as a culturally important place to all of humanity.
Many of the buildings on the Acropolis of Athens were destroyed by the Persians in the mid-5th century. As such, the temples were rebuilt between 460 and 430 BCE by Pericles, a Greek politician and general. Historians consider this time to be the ‘Golden Age of Athens’.
The Acropolis of Athens had many important buildings, such as:
- Parthenon (Temple to the goddess Athena)
- Propylaea (A Ceremonial Gateway)
- Erechtheion (Temple to Athena, also known as Temple of Athena Polias)
- Temple of Athena Nike (Temple dedicated to the goddesses of Athena and Nike)
The most important building located at the Acropolis of Athens is the Parthenon. It was built to honor the goddess Athena during the 5th century BCE. This means it is about 2500 years old. The Parthenon remains famous today for its design and decorative sculptures. In fact, in some ways it has come to symbolize the high point and importance of Ancient Greece.
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