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The Acropolis

The earliest monuments to grace the Acropolis were those of a heavily fortified Bronze Age settlement, dating to around the 13th century BC. Although permanent occupation appears to have been relatively short-lived, the Athenians continued to employ the acropolis as a defensive refuge in troubled times right down to the Classical period. By then, the glory of Athens had made her the pre-eminent Greek city-state – the cradle of democratic society and a great centre for cultural enlightenment. In the wake of the famous Greek defeat of the Persian army at the battle of Marathon in 490 BC, the Acropolis came in for a major make-over. Yet these new embellishments were quickly swept away in September 480 BC when, in retaliation for their humiliation at Marathon, the Persians launched a fresh invasion-force against the Greek mainland, laying waste to Athens’ greatest architectural treasures.

The buildings that survive today on the Acropolis all date from a phase of redevelopment that took place during the second half of the 5th century BC. This magnificent architectural ‘tour de force’ was the product of the idealistic vision of Pericles, the egocentric leading Athenian statesman of the day. In his groundbreaking re-design of the Acropolis, nationalistic pride would be replaced by a strong sense of civic self-worth. The main ambition of Pericles was to enforce Athenian supremacy over all other Greek city-states. His message was loud and clear – it was Athens that stood at the centre of the Greek Universe!