Acropolis

Acropolis, 'the high-town,' was, in many of the important cities of Greece and Asia Minor, the name of the citadel. It usually occupied the summit of a rock or hill, and was fortified, commanding the city and its environs. It contained some of the most important public buildings, especially temples, besides affording a last refuge in case of a hostile attack. The acropolis, like the castle of the middle ages, formed the centre or nucleus around which the town gradually grew. Notable amongst these old Greek strongholds were the Acropolis of Argos; that of Messene; that of Thebes, called Cadmea; that of Corinth, known as Acro-Corinthus; but especially that of Athens, which was styled pre-eminently the Acropolis, and contained the Parthenon, the Erechtheum, and other famous buildings. See ATHENS.