Acropolis of Athens

Quick Facts: Who was Acropolis of Athens?

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Acropolis of Athens

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Ancient citadel on a rocky outcrop above Athens, housing the Parthenon.

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Origins & Early Life

The Acropolis of Athens (Ancient Greek: Ἡ Ἀκρόπολις τῶν Ἀθηνῶν, romanized: Hē Akropolis tōn Athēnōn; Modern Greek: Η Ακρόπολη των Αθηνών, romanized: I Akrópoli ton Athinón) is an ancient citadel located on a rocky outcrop above the city of Athens, Greece, and contains the remains of several ancient buildings of great architectural and historical significance, the most famous being the Parthenon. The word Acropolis is from Greek ἄκρον (akron) 'highest point, extremity' and πόλις (polis) 'city'.

Career & Major Achievements

The term acropolis is generic and there are many other acropoleis in Greece. During ancient times the Acropolis of Athens was also more properly known as Cecropia (Κεκροπία), after the legendary serpent-man Cecrops, the supposed first Athenian king.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

While there is evidence that the hill was inhabited as early as the 4th millennium BC, it was Pericles (c. 495–429 BC) in the fifth century BC who coordinated the construction of the buildings whose present remains are the site's most important ones, including the Parthenon, the Propylaea, the Erechtheion and the Temple of Athena Nike.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Acropolis of Athens

True or False: “The Acropolis of Athens was primarily built during the 5th century BC under Pericles.”

Answer (TRUE ⭕): Pericles' building program in the 5th century BC was responsible for the monumental structures that define the site today, such as the Parthenon.

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