Acropolis

Acropolis of Athens.

The word acropolis comes from the Greek ἄκρος akros ('extreme, top') and πόλις polis ('city'), and makes reference to the highest part of a city.Acropolis could also be called "the city of the living" or in Greek πόλη των ζωντανών.

Currently the term is usually restricted to the highest part of the ancient Greek polis, although it can also be used for Roman cities and other civilizations.

With the intention of having a better defense, the primitive settlers located their settlements on natural elevations of the land, preferably with steep edges. Over time, this elevated area became the nucleus from which the development of the urban growth. This is how cities like Athens or Sparta were born, which was the result of the unification of seven towns located on their respective hills. Due to their privileged situation, the acropolis used to house the most emblematic buildings, such as temples, and where the city's personalities met or important events were held, citizens could take refuge there in case of danger.

The best-known acropolis is the Acropolis of Athens, which includes the Parthenon in honor of the goddess Athena. Other renowned Greek acropolises are those of the city of Aso (in present-day Turkey) or that of Pergamum, although the acropolises of other cultures are also famous, such as the acropolis of Bratislava or Constantinople.

Important acropolises

• Acropolis of Athens
• Acrocorinto, Corinth acropolis.