But the Acropolis also means all the monuments formed by the Parthenon, the Temple of Athena Nike , the theater of Dionysus, etc.
In the thirteenth century BC, the fortress and sanctuary were surrounded by a large and imposing wall of which only very few vestiges today. It was only during the reign of King of Athens , both political and religious leader as the Acropolis was dedicated to the famous goddess Athena, protector of Athens.
In 480 BC the Persians led by their leader Xerxes invaded the city, the Greeks must abandon flee Athens. During their flight the Greeks instinctively hide many statues and works in secret cavities but one that could not be saved were looted by the invader.
The temples of the Acropolis were destroyed. What has survived pillaging and destruction is at Acropolis Museum today.
By uniting against the Persians in a great alliance, the Greek cities returned to power. This is the height of Greek influence and the Athenian abundance.
Pericles, then in power, uses the newly amassed wealth in the coffers of the city to completely rebuild the temples of the Acropolis. This is Phidias, the greatest sculptor of antiquity which oversees the work, leaving his mark on the timeless world.
The remaining vestiges of the golden age unfortunately not possible to realize the magnificence of the temples and their ornaments as they were at the time.
Although in 86 BC, the Romans invaded and looted the city, the soldiers did not touch the Acropolis. It was the Christians of Byzantium, who in the fifth century, are in charge of carrying the famous statue of Athena made of ivory and gold, 10 meters high.
This symbol that stood in the Parthenon was never found.
At the same time, the Acropolis is transformed into Catholic and Orthodox church before being taken by the Turks in 1456 and transformed into a stronghold. A mosque will be built elsewhere.
Desiring to drive the Turks out of the city, a Venetian general bombards shortly after the Acropolis and Pathenon.
Many outrages were thus inflicted on this ancient monument throughout history.
The last, and most radical will plunder orchestrated by a British Lord Elgin, ambassador of Great Britain to Constantinople, which in 1801, the British Museum will bring back the most beautiful and spectacular pieces of the Parthenon and other temples.
Since then, the Greek government is struggling to recover these fragments of history.