Explore the Historic Acropolis of Athens: From the Parthenon to the Akron Polis - Essay Sample

Introduction

The Acropolis of Athens is a citadel developed during the ancient days on a rocky platform above Athens city. The Acropolis is made up of the remains of various old buildings of magnificent historical and architectural structures from the Parthenon. The term acropolis is derived from the Greek word (Akron) and polis,” city” (Stokstad & Cothren, 2017). Even though the word acropolis has a generic meaning, various acropoleis found in Greece also portray the significance of the “Acropolis” with no qualifications.

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In ancient times the Acropolis of Athens was called the Cecropa when Ceprops (the legendary serpent man) became the king of the Athenians (Stokstad & Cothren, 2017). While the evidence collected about the hill in the fourth millennium BC was Pericles, the name was later changed in the fifth century BC after it was renovated. However, the places that remained include the Propylaea, Parthenon, the Temple of Athena Nike, and the Erechtheion. In 1689, the Parthenon and various buildings were destroyed during the Morean War by the Venetians when the gunpowder kept in Parthenon exploded after being hit by a cannonball (Stokstad & Cothren, 2017).

The Purpose

Athens is a term that is connected to the patron goddess Athen originating from the pre-Greek language. The myth used to explain Athens’ name was derived from the legendary contest between Athena and Poseidon described by Ovid, Pausanias, Apollodorus, and others (Stokstad & Cothren, 2017). The theme was later used on the Parthenon, the west pediment. Both Poseidon and Athena requested the patrons to name it after them complete a new sculpture to give them to the city as gifts. Athena formed the olive treat to symbolize prosperity and peace. Under Cecrops rule, the Athenians accepted the olive tree and gave it the name of the city. The same structure is seen in the Southern part of Italy but under the name Poseidonia (Stokstad & Cothren, 2017). As known, a sacred olive tree that was created by the goddess existed in Acropolis near the Pandrosus temple near Parthenon. However, during the Persian Wars, the tree got burnt after getting exposed to a hot shoot.

The Settlement

Acropolis is built on a flat-top rock that is 150 meters above sea level with a surface area of approximately three hectares (Stokstad & Cothren, 2017). Even though the earliest artifacts existed from the Middle Neolithic era, most evidence found shows that their habitations were in Attica during the Neolithic period. It is the same place that the Mycenaean megaron was believed to exist on top of the hill during the Bronze Age (Stokstad & Cothren, 2017). After some years, nothing remained except a single limestone column that consisted of several pieces of sandstone. Later the Cyclopean palace was constructed to serve as the central defence during war. The wall of the castle had two parapets consisting of large stone blocks cemented with the earth mortar known as the emplekton.

Political Importance

Research has shown that in the 5th century BC, the Persians overpowered the Athenians concerning the building program under the great statesman Perikles leadership because of significant numbers of monuments such as the Propylaia, the temple of Athena Nike and the Erechtheion (Stokstad & Cothren, 2017). This is because the statues were created by architects like Mnesikles, Kallikrates, and Iktinos. The development also consisted of sculptors such as the Agorakritos, Alkamenes, and the Pheidias. These groups are responsible for changing the rocky hill to a complex that heralded the classical Greek arts and thoughts.

Stylistic Traits

The Acropolis of Athens has boundaries that consist of attributes that convey the Universal Value property as a splendour made in excellent condition. The ancient building was also built in perfection through techniques that ensured that the sculptures’ resistance would outstand the natural forces. Even though they were damaged with time, the monuments still display and convey their beauty due to their inestimable historical and artistic value, which preserved the ideas and events of philosophy and democracy (Stokstad & Cothren, 2017). Inevitably, as days went by extensive damage to place to the monuments when people tried to conserve and restore the works with the aim of increases the legibility and stability of the statues.

Major Contributors

The Acropolis of Athens consists of masterpieces of Greek classical architecture and arts that are preserved to maintain the structural integrity and authenticity since the beginning of the monument in 1975 (Stokstad & Cothren, 2017). Today the works have formed clear scholarly and theoretical foundations because of following the Venice Charter principles. Even though the interventions are limited because of the ancient structural system, it remains consistent because of the reversibility principles (Stokstad & Cothren, 2017). Also, the tools and techniques used to restore the works are the same as what the ancient people used in maintaining the eroded architectural elements which were derived from similar hills.

Conclusion

The Acropolis of Athens is a citadel that developed during the ancient days on a rocky platform above Athens city. Research has shown that in the 5th century BC, the Persians overpowered the Athenians concerning the building program that was under the great statesman Perikles leadership. The Acropolis of Athens has boundaries that consist of attributes that convey the Universal Value property as a splendour made in excellent condition.

References

Stokstad, M., & Cothren, M. W. (2017). Art History (6th ed.). Pearson.