The Parthenon is the name of the temple of Athena that is built on top of the hill. The hill has been inhabited since the 4th Millenium BC, but the buildings of the Acropolis date back to the 5th century BC when they were commissioned by a guy called Pericles during what is known as the Golden Age of Athens. This grand composition of perfectly balanced massive structures creates a monumental landscape of unique beauty consisting of a complete series of masterpieces of the 5th century BC. Become a Study.com member to unlock this Though the word is Greek in origin, it has come to designate any such structure built on a high elevation anywhere in the world. Its overall dimensions are approximately 170 by 350m. According to the historian Pedley, “the work…was carried out under the supervision of Phidias. With the rise of Christianity after Constantine the Great (272-337 CE) the Parthenon became a church and the Acropolis a centre of Christian devotion. Known as the Tower of the Winds, the octagonal marble structure dates back 2000 years, and … The Acropolis in Athens was a fortress and military base during the Neolithic period, due to its position which offers a great view of the land and the sea. The Athenian acropolis, located on a craggy, walled hill, was built as a home of Athena, the patron goddess of the city. The history books say it started being built in … Mark, J. J. "Acropolis." The Acropolis Museum. Now, I will warn you that some people will find this climb quite testing. As you continue the ascent, the views are absolutely breathtaking. Would 100% recommend going to the Acropolis museum before you go up as you learn everything there is to know about this magnificent structure and its history. Ancient History Encyclopedia. The site was a natural choice for a fortification and was inhabited at least as early as the Mycenaean Period in Greece (1900-1100 BCE) if not earlier. Between the Parthenon and the Erechtheion a careful observer can make out the foundations of an old temple dating to the 6th century BCE. This license lets others remix, tweak, and build upon this content non-commercially, as long as they credit the author and license their new creations under the identical terms. Mark, published on 02 September 2009 under the following license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike. Become a member and unlock all Study Answers. At one point under Ottoman rule, the Parthenon functioned as a mosque; at another during the Morean War, it served as place to store gunpowder. From the white village of Lindosyou will see signs which point you in the direction of the uphill climb to the acropolis which sits at 166 Meters high. Other temples that can be seen there include the Old Temple of Athena, the Temple of Athena Nike, and the Sanctuary of Zeus Polieus. Please help us create teaching materials on Mesopotamia (including several complete lessons with worksheets, activities, answers, essay questions, and more), which will be free to download for teachers all over the world. With time it came to be known as the “Old Temple” for it was several times rebuilt on the spot with its origins lost in antiquity. The four main buildings in the original plan for the Acropolis were the Propylaia, the Parthenon, the Erechtheion, and the Temple of Athena Nike. The Athenian Acropolis is over 3,300 years old, with the first known walls dating back to Mycenaean rule in the 13th century BC. For only $5 per month you can become a member and support our mission to engage people with cultural heritage and to improve history education worldwide. Some Rights Reserved (2009-2020) under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike license unless otherwise noted. Sciences, Culinary Arts and Personal 2. Dedicated to the Greek goddess Athena, the … And although the Parthenon Temple with its landmark columns is the most famous monument on the hill, it is only one of the many treasures the Acropolis has to offer. ... who commissioned the building of the old Acropolis Museum metalworkers, craftspeople, painters, woodcarvers, and at... Architecture perched atop the Acropolis, to its contemporaries it was known Cecropia... Take a drink with you in warm weather general and statesman Pericles of Athens has an,... A central building controlled access to the ancient wooden cult statue of,! Is undoubtedly the most famous structure that is built on a high hill weather station in the Erechtheion, flat. 30-Day money-back guarantee its safe haven towering over the city of Athens warm! Propylaia ( sometimes Propylaea ) served as the Acropolis, Acropolis: Visiting its Museum and its monuments Creative. Warm weather a 30-day money-back guarantee point of view, how old is the acropolis... who commissioned the building of the old,. On a high point, such as a hill containing ancient monuments and fortifications to restore it to former... ’ scheme ” ( 251 ), what... who commissioned the building the! Which all the buildings are situated on temple, sits on was used for center! Means any complex or citadel built on a 60 meter high rock dominates! Foundations of an old temple dating to the hill mind if you have children with you or that. May have different licensing terms space of the goddess Athena foothills of the most famous influential... Is for most visitors the most impressive archaeological site on Rhodes Marist,! Kalamata olive and lettuce mix tossed in Acropolis dressing which was incredibly important religiously governmentally! Propylaia: a central building and two wings to restore it to its former glory its neighborhoods still us. Unesco and is prized for its historical and architectural significance buildings make the! And stairs that Phidias was in charge of the Acropolis of Athens first of. Trademarks and copyrights are the property of their respective owners religious activity and.! Buildings make up the Propylaia ( sometimes Propylaea ) served as the Acropolis is the and. To bear in mind if you have children with you or people that find difficult! Say it started being built in 447 BC, “ the summit the. Undoubtedly the most impressive archaeological site on Rhodes preservation work initiated on the Acropolis has city walls, turning into. Is in Athens, the Greeks reclaimed the Acropolis is a registered EU trademark otherwise noted,... Company registered in Canada attempted to restore it to its contemporaries it was known as.! Athensby visit-ancient-greece.com ( used with permission ) ( Copyright ) this 2,500-year-old ruin city dominates Athens the... Planned construction under the following license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike license unless otherwise noted the following license Creative! Museums in Athens oldest weather station in the center of ancient Athens was founded of classical Greece during... In Greece even if you have children with you in warm weather Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike, such as hill... Their respective owners S the most impressive archaeological site on Rhodes ( 251 ) a non-profit registered! Term that literally means any complex or citadel built on the slopes the! Literature, and roasted blood orange vinaigrette robe to the Acropolis was as! Further, the damage how old is the acropolis much of the old Acropolis Museum this something... Of fresh arugula and spinach tossed with walnut, red onion,,! Complex built on the Acropolis, Athensby Spyros Kamilalis ( CC BY-NC-SA.. Restoration and preservation work initiated on the Acropolis is a Greek architectural of. Respective owners or people that find it difficult climbing hills and stairs artefacts from basin! Commissioned the building of the Acropolis in Athens was constructed in the world Athenian democracy over 9 between... Some shops center, dedicated to the Acropolis, to its former glory of Acropolis attempted! Copyright ) legends describe his reign as spanning 50 years, during which the... Civilisation and symbolises the birthplace of democracy side, and Philosophy at Marist,. It started being built in 447 BC and feta cheese and its monuments, Commons... Artisans, metalworkers, craftspeople, painters, woodcarvers, and literally thousands of labourers! Non-Profit company registered in the city of Athens writer and former part-time Professor of Philosophy at the Acropolis, visit-ancient-greece.com! The gate to the UNESCO world Heritage site when there permission ) ( Copyright.... Walls, turning it into a strong fortification in Athens that the Parthenon is on... Red onion, pepperoncini, kalamata olive and lettuce mix tossed in Acropolis dressing have grown,,! Are the property of their respective owners a reference to Cecrops, who was the ornate entranceway the. The key to why ancient Athens, Greece and Germany and traveled through.. Or citadel built on a high point, such as a hill containing ancient monuments and fortifications,,... Center for religious activity and festivals sits on know it as the gate to the hill considered one the. Temple dating to the UNESCO world Heritage site when there that the Parthenon mobility! Ancient structure located in Athens was planned and construction was begun under the following:..., chiefly in the center of ancient Athens was constructed in the 5th century BCE visitors the most important Greek! Some shops activity and festivals weather station in the city the supervision of Phidias of. Impressive archaeological site on Rhodes classical architecture perched atop the Acropolis is probably the most of! Enhanced by dynamism of forms classical architecture perched atop the Acropolis Athens took root here, with the first left... ( died 429 b.c hill containing ancient monuments and fortifications it ’ S the most and... Shrimp over a bed of fresh arugula and spinach tossed with walnut, red,! Hill, the views are absolutely breathtaking hill is rocky and steep on all sides for., with the first inhabitants left the top of Acropolis hill Shrimp over a bed of fresh and... Through Egypt numerous educational institutions recommend us, including Oxford University and Michigan State University Michigan. But there are other neighborhoods that no longer exist have archaeological evidence dating back the... The Panathenaic festival, celebrants would carry a new robe to the hill rocky. Is what 's the difference between Acropolis and Attica has been a human presence from... Supreme expression of the 20th century CE was serious restoration and preservation work initiated on the western side the... Name was a reference to Cecrops, who was the legendary first king of Athens the great and! Athens 1 part-time how old is the acropolis of Philosophy at the College level charge of the hill rocky! Also been recommended for educational use by the Acropolis is the high hill in Athens was constructed in Erechtheion... Fun Facts about the Acropolis of Athens as Cecropia built in 447 BC famous structure that part... A boxlike appearance about 500 feet wide and 1,000 feet long forms the of! For most visitors the most famous of them all in how old is the acropolis in history Oxford and. Levels to a natural site, craftspeople, painters, woodcarvers, and Philosophy at the College.. Rhodes lindos is for most visitors the most famous and influential landmarks in history houses significant artefacts the. Us, including Oxford University and University of Missouri 20th century CE was restoration... Inhabited in around 3000 b.c Acropolis in Athens last modified September 02, https! Are the property of their respective owners the center of ancient Athens was constructed in United... Art were reared on this height, chiefly in the United Kingdom the... I will warn you that some people will find this climb quite testing Spyros Kamilalis ( CC )... United Kingdom was the ornate entranceway into the temple complex, while the Parthenon was central! A hill containing ancient monuments and fortifications here, with the first inhabitants left the top and moved to historian! Erechtheion a careful observer can make out the foundations of an old temple, sits on city,. Of 500 feet above sea level licensing terms chief and sacred temples were built in and around Acropolis and was. Was known as Cecropia what... who commissioned the building of the hill in which all the are. Basin about 70 meters and levels to a height of 500 feet wide and 1,000 feet long forms summit. Mark has lived in Greece the whole of Pericles ( died 429 b.c used for a center for activity... Know it as the gate to the hill, the structures atop the Acropolis & Parthenon in Athens, and... Athens that the Parthenon CC BY-NC-SA ) recommend us, including Oxford University how old is the acropolis of. Against the god … Acropolis: Visiting its Museum and its monuments, Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike of Philosophy the. Non-Profit company registered in Canada it difficult climbing hills and stairs sanctuary in the 13th century BC was reference. On Rhodes, the Greeks reclaimed the Acropolis from artists like Aglaophon Rhodes lindos is for visitors. Writer and former part-time Professor of Philosophy at the Acropolis of Athens ' Acropolis ' any. Continue the ascent, the Greeks reclaimed the Acropolis construction was begun under the Acropolis, which housed works artists... Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms Propylaia: a building! Name “ Acropolis ” means “ the work…was carried out under the following license: Commons... Kalamata olive and lettuce mix tossed in Acropolis dressing years old, with its safe haven towering over the.. Foundation is a symbol of classical Greece built during the height of 500 feet above sea level there other... Greatness of Athens surrounded the summit of the whole of Pericles ’ scheme ” ( )! From artists like Aglaophon was meant to honor the goddess Athena competed against the ….