The Acropolis
Athens’ defining citadel became an enduring symbol of ancient Greek architecture
Many major Greek cities were dominated by an Acropolis at their centre. Meaning ‘high cit y’, it was a well-defended hill that citizens would retreat to when the city was under attack. The cit y-states of Thebes and Corinth both had an Acropolis, but by far the most famous of these citadels stood in the centre of Athens. The original structures were improved after victory at the Battle of Marathon in 490 BCE, but were destroyed by Xerxes’ Persian troops when they sacked Athens ten years later.