        The acropolis shows an important development in greek culture, the athenian people were proud of their tall fortress. I find it meaningful in that its completion set the standard for athenian dominance and progress for hundreds of years. The acropolis has giant beautiful walls, and thoughtful design throughout. The building of; and the finished product that became the acropolis gave the people of athens a national symbol of strength and prosperity to put their faith and effort behind. (Hellenic Ministry)  To the athenian, the fortress would and could protect them from any danger they could conceive at the time.<!--more-->

          It is important to note that athens is an early epicenter of greek history, the acropolis helped them become the only greek city-state that survived the doric invasions, which devastated most of the greek cities at the time. Athens' existence allowed the greek people to have a permanent historical home throughout the centuries. The lion gate at Mycenae was also built at this time, it employed the same “post and lintel” construction type as the walls and main gate of athens. It made use of pressure distribution through the setting of triangular stones at the base of the structure. The athenian acropolis was typical of its era in that most every greek city-state at the time had an acropilis, but athens was set apart by location and economic oppurtunity . Their rich coffers allowed them to build high walls, dig deep wells, and make a highly defensible, and self sufficient city. They were capable of fending off attackers for longer periods of time due to interior wells, and large food stores. “According to legend, king Theseus united the towns into one administrative entity (known as synoikismos), and this synoikismos appears to have been instrumental in the city’s survival when most of the other Mycenaean centers were destroyed around 1200 BCE by invading hordes from mainland Greece, or due to a possible invasion of tribes from the North (what many refer to as the Doric invasion). While all other Mycenaean centers, including mighty Mycenae, were deserted during this period, Athens was the only town to remain inhabited and active”(Sakoulas). This partnership with the surrounding communities helped athens withstand the forces of time, and even their enemies.

        The oldest buildings have large, but simple, round columns, whereas the increasingly more modern buildings have ornate design. For example the columns of the  newer buildings are fluted, and the even more modern and complicated buildings have acanthus leaves carved in along with vines.(Palmer)This progressive increase in elaborate adornment shows how the people became more comfortable in their city's ability to last, and their continued increase in income throughout the years.

           The acropolis was received well in its time, the athenians being very spiritual, and community-oriented, enjoyed the ability to worship en masse, and celebrate in the town epicenter. Every 4 years in athens the people had a celebration called Panatheaea (all-athenia), in which a luxurious woolen robe would be draped over the statue of athena inside the parthenon( for purposes of sacrifice). The celebration was thought to be a deliberate attempt to contend with the olympics for popularity. The acropolis also gave the more wealthy people in athens a heightened sense of security, because they could now establish their homes inside the agora, or the marketplace area of the acropolis. This was the lowest area of the acropolis, but still within the walls. The agora could definitely be considered the city center, where celebrations and meetings would take place regularly. The greeks at the time were centered around worship of female goddesses as their primary deities, and the temples and caryatids (statues integrated as support beams) around the city represented that.

             The athens acropolis in specific was  different than most of the others in its time because its walls were built almost twice as thick as most, and were built up to 30 feet high in some places. It was one of the few greek cities at the time to employ cyclopean architecture, which was mostly being utilized in rome and other parts of italy. The athenians had a strong relationship with the smaller cities surrounding them, which gave them a powerful economy, and a large group of allies in times of need. The acropolis was innovative in that it was built with the intention to last far into the future, as one of the first long-term permanent settlements for their culture. They built athens as a trade and religious center, in order to draw other greeks to the city and its surrounding areas. The People of athens love the acropolis to this day, festivals and celebrations have been hosted inside the walls for ages. In the time of its contruction, the acropolis was mainly a place of study for religion and science. Modern times have really turned the intention away from its original values, and to more celebratory, and anthropological research.

             It is important for us to remember that the acropolis at athens hosts some of the most famous     and impressive historical buildings of all time. The Parthenon itself is still a modern marvel, the building is built around the golden ratio of mathematics, which has been found to be not only one of the most structurally sound, but aesthetically pleasing to people. This measurement ratio also makes the  structure stronger, as for some reason it distributes pressure more equally to the whole of the frame.   Some of the most famous relics in the world have been removed by looters and collectors throughout the ages, while some have been returned, a good many are still being recovered by the greek government to this day. The restoration processes have included adding titanium supports to the columns and roof frames, re-foundation of many buildings, and cleaning the stone and various material to the best of their abilities. In june, 2009, the greek government opened up a museum dedicated to the acropolis, with exhibits illustrating its rich history of war, art, philosophy, architecture, etc. (Athens Acropolis Museum." Acropolis of Athens, Attiki (Hellas)
