What was an earlier historical name for the Acropolis of Athens?

In antiquity, the citadel was called Cecropia, named in honor of the mythical Athenian king Cecrops.

What is the meaning of the word Acropolis?

The word derives from Greek terms denoting the highest point and city.

Which deity was worshipped at the Old Temple of Athena?

The sanctuary honored Athena Polias, the patron deity of the city.

How was drinking water obtained on the hill during ancient sieges?

A deep well excavated into a natural rock fissure near the northeastern edge provided a protected water supply.

Where was the Delian League treasury kept on the grounds?

The treasury of the Delian League was stored in the opisthodomos of the Old Temple of Athena.

How was the ancient Mycenaean circuit wall constructed?

The defensive perimeter was built as a Cyclopean wall using large stone blocks joined with an earth mortar termed emplekton.

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Acropole d'Athènes: ce qu’il y a autour, comment y aller et quand venir · 2026

Long-term residents treat the limestone outcrop as an orientation anchor while planning daily walks around the dense visitor crowds at the base.

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A fortified limestone plateau anchors the urban basin, preserving ancient masonry from early citadels through classical sanctuaries.

The citadel rises on a flat rock outcrop above the plain, functioning since antiquity as a fortified sanctuary and civic anchor. Early rulers built a Mycenaean palace surrounded by massive stone walls bonded with earth mortar. A deep natural fissure in the bedrock housed a protected well that supplied drinking water during hostile sieges.

Before the Parthenon stood on the summit, ancient builders erected temples dedicated to Athena Polias. Archaic limestone pediments featured mythical serpent figures painted with blue beards. Persian forces burned these early shrines during their invasion, after which rebuilt sanctuaries held the collective treasury of the Delian League.

Associations

ParthenonThe principal classical temple crowning the rocky citadel summit.
CecropiaAncient name derived from the legendary serpent ruler Cecrops.
Clepsydra SpringHistoric water source enclosed near the northwestern hill base.
Steep Rock ApproachesNarrow rock-cut stairs create physical bottlenecks along the slopes.

Faits

The citadel was known in antiquity as Cecropia after the legendary ruler Cecrops.
A massive Cyclopean circuit wall was built with stone blocks and earth mortar.
The opisthodomos of the rebuilt temple of Athena Polias safeguarded the Delian League treasury.
An earthquake created a deep rock fissure utilized for secure well water during sieges.

Mis à jour le 20 septembre 2026Source : Wikipedia

Acropole d'Athènes: ce qu’il y a autour, comment y aller et quand venir · 2026

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A fortified limestone plateau anchors the urban basin, preserving ancient masonry from early citadels through classical sanctuaries.

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