The many structures built on this hill overlooking the city of Athens were some of the jewels of the Ancient Greek world. Built as a celebration and representation of Athenian dominance in the Aegean after their victory over the Persians, the Acropolis had actually been a sacred location for the Athenians for many years prior.
Fortifications around the Acropolis have been dated back as far as the 13th century BCE. Since the hill is virtually vertical on three sides, it would have made an ideal defensive position for the people of Athens when the city was under attack, and this appears to have been recognised in later building designs. Around the 8th century BCE the cult of Athena began to take an interest in the hill and from there it began to be built up even more.