Acropolis

The Acropolis is in the original sense of belonging to a city of Castle Hill or the military complex, which was mostly built on the highest hill near the city.

The Acropolis in ancient Greece

Principle always to an ancient Greek city was an acropolis - even if some do not seem to deserve rather due to flat terrain that name.

For defense reasons, the early settlers chose a city from bumps and hills, if possible with steep slopes. The Acropolis corresponded to a citadel, but it has evolved over the history of a weir on the castle hill and the place of worship with the most important sanctuaries. The early settlements developed in many places at the centers of large cities, which spread over the adjacent valleys.

The best known acropolis is located in Athens, see Acropolis (Athens). Many of its buildings were built of Pentelic marble.

Origin and use of the term

The word comes from the Ancient Greek: ἀκρόπολις Acropolis is composed of ἄκρος Akros "top ", " top " and πόλις pólis " city " and means " high city" or " upper city ".

The term acropolis was formerly confined exclusively to the ancient Greek culture, but is now used for art- related and functional buildings of other ancient cultures such as the Etruscans, Celts or Maya. With some reason could also be referred to the Roman Capitol as Acropolis.

In medieval and early modern buildings is called citadels.

Examples

Acropolis of Lindos Rhodes

Acropolis of Rhodes on Monte Smith

Acropolis Paliokastro Methana