Acropolis of Athens
Ακρόπολη Αθηνών · Athens Acropolis · Akropolis
Classical High 447–406 BCE over Bronze Age citadel·Athenian Classical Greek·🇬🇷 Attica, Greece
About
About Acropolis of Athens
Fortified sacred rock dominating Athens with Periclean building program 447–406 BCE: Parthenon (Iktinos and Kallikrates, Phidias sculptures), Erechtheion with Caryatid Porch, Propylaia gateway by Mnesikles, Temple of Athena Nike, plus Odeion, Brauroneion and Mycenaean circuit walls. Built to celebrate victory over Persia and Delian League hegemony; UNESCO 1987.
Why it mattersCanonical summit of Classical architecture; optical refinement laboratory.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Parthenon curvature calculation method
- 02Erechtheion multiple shrines integration plan
Theories
- 01Parthenon as treasury first, temple second
- 02Acropolis as procession destination encoding Panathenaia
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- 447–406 BCE (Pericles program); rock fortified 1600 BCE
- Period
- Classical High 447–406 BCE over Bronze Age citadel
- Culture
- Athenian Classical Greek
- Builders
- Athenians under Pericles; Iktinos, Kallikrates, Mnesikles, Phidias
- Purpose
- Pan-Athenian sanctuary of Athena and civic power display
- Excavation
- Excavated
447–406 BCE (Pericles program); rock fortified 1600 BCE
Initial construction
c. 1135 CE
Rediscovery
On the ground
Structures & features
37.9715° N · 23.7257° E · 156 m · 3 mapped features
Parthenon
templeDoric temple with Ionic frieze and Phidias Athena Parthenos
37.9715° N · 23.7266° EErechtheion Caryatid Porch
templeSix draped female columns over Kekropion tomb
37.9721° N · 23.7272° EPropylaia
gatewayMonumental Doric-Ionic gateway by Mnesikles
37.9710° N · 23.7250° E
Gallery