The Acropolis
Acropolis in Greek means "
The Sacred Rock, the high city". All around
the world the Acropolis of Athens is known as 'The Acropolis'. There are
many Acropolises in Greece but the Acropolis of Athens is the best
known.
The Acropolis is primarily dedicated to the Goddess Athena. But humans
from the prehistoric era have populated the Acropolis and the caves
around it. Situated in the middle of Athens, many myths, festivals and
important events are connected to the sacred Acropolis. The Acropolis
echoes the grandeur and the power of the Athenian empire.
Geographical Description
Acropolis rock has been a part of Earth since the Late Cretaceous
period. Built of limestone it is based on the Attica plateau and
includes the Likavitos hill, the Philopappos hill, the hill of the
Nymphs, and the Pnyx. The Acropolis is also known as the Cecropia, after
a mythological half serpent-man Cecrops who is considered the first
Athenian King.
With a height of about 70 meters and 300 meters long, it is 150 meters
wide. Many human inhabitants have made constructions here since the
Mycenaean era resulting in the flat top table of the Acropolis. As there
was spring water and caves in abundance, the place was perfect for
human habitation.
History of Acropolis
Neolithic Era
Human occupancy of Acropolis and Attica has been dated back to 6 BC i.e.
during the Neolithic Era. Many unique works of arts and architecture
prove that inhabitation around Attica started in the Upper Paleolithic
period while the caves in Acropolis and Klepsythra springs were occupied
from the Neolithic Period.
Mycenaean Era
In the Mycenaean Era, during the 13th century a well-built wall was
constructed around the hill of Acropolis where the king resided and he
controlled the small settlements around the fortress.
These walls that were created by the Mycenaean kings were around eight
meters high and constructed their palaces inside these walls. These
walls consisted of two barricades. The walls are built in a typical
Mycenaean style consisting of a wall, barricade and a tower on right
hand side for defense. Today very little remains of these walls and
palaces.
The Dark Ages
The Acropolis has seen no major destruction during the Mycenaean Era.
The Acropolis successfully resisted the attack by the Dorians, a fact,
which is supported by Athenian folklore. Therefore the palaces and walls
show no signs of fire or attack. But the Kylons and the Pisistratus had
overtaken the Acropolis, suggesting power transfer. It is during this
period that the 9-gate wall 'Enneapylon' was built around the water
spring 'Clepsydra'.
The 'Sacred Acropolis' Era
The Acropolis became a sacred place in the 6th century BC when a temple
dedicated 'Athenia Polias' was built in the northeastern side of the
hill. The 'Athenia Polias' temple is made up of limestone and many
artifacts and documents were found from this area. The temple is also
known as 'Bluebeard temple' after the 3-headed serpent whose beard was
blue. In the late 6th century BC another temple was built known as the
'Archaios Naos' or the Old Temple, which was built by the Peisistratos.
The Acropolis flourished during the Peisistratos rule when many
religious festivals and memorials were recognized. Many artifacts and
works of art bear inscription describing the splendor of Athens during
the archaic period.
The 'Bluebeard temple' was destroyed when the Athenians defeated the
Persians at the Battle of Marathon in 490 BC. A much larger and grander
building was built which is known to be the "Older Parthenon". The
Mycenaean gate was also destroyed and replaced by the 'Old Propylon'
monument, which was used for religious purposes.
The "Older Parthenon" construction remained unfinished because the
Persians once again attacked Attica in 480 BC and destroyed Attica and
its monuments. Whatever artifacts were remaining, were buried by the
Athenians (to save them) in the small, natural caves and 2 new walls
were built around Acropolis. These walls were known as the 'The wall of
Themistokles' and 'The wall of Kimon'. Whatever artifacts were buried by
the Athenians during the war, and survived, are known today as the
'Persian Debris'.
The Golden Age of Athens
Whatever chief and sacred temples were built in and around Acropolis and
Attica was during the Golden Age of Athens i.e. from 460 BC to 430 BC.
Pericles was responsible for most of these structures. Pericles was an
ambitious man. The constructions lasted for about half a century.
Phidias, a sculptor and Ictinus and Callicrates, who were architechts,
were in charge of these constructions. Workers who were laborers on
these constructions were paid 1 drachma a day. Temples and monuments
such as the Parthenon, the Propylaia, the Erechtheion and the temple of
Athena Nike were built during this time. The temples on the north of
Acropolis housed earlier sects and Olympian Gods and those at the south
were dedicated to the Goddess Athena and her forms such as Polias,
Parthenos, Pallas, Promachos, Ergane and Nike.
No major structures were constructed from 404 BC to the 1st century BC
during the Peloponnesian Era. In the 7th century BC a small temple
dedicated to Augustus and Rome was built east of the Acropolis.
In spite of many Roman invasions of Greece, the Acropolis has retained
its charm and has been saved from destruction and looting.
Advent of Christianity
As time passed, natural degradation and human interference both
affected the Acropolis. As Christianity was introduced, the monuments
were converted into churches. All the structures were renamed and served
as churches and cathedrals. During the medieval period, some of the
structures became residences or headquarters for kings such as the
Frankish or Turkish rulers. Due to reasons such as wars, invasions and
attacks important structures such as the Parthenon, etc were destroyed
leading to a tragic loss of history. It was only during the late 20th
century that the Acropolis was excavated properly and paid attention to.
The excavation and restoration process is ongoing. The artifacts and
works of arts can be seen at the Acropolis Museum.
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Ionic Order :
The Temple of Apollo at Didyma - The Greeks built the Temple of
Apollo at Didyma, Turkey (about 300 BC). The design of the temple was
known as dipteral, a term that refers to the two sets of columns
surrounding the interior section. These columns surrounded a small
chamber that housed the statue of Apollo. With Ionic columns reaching
19.5 m (64 ft) high, these ruins suggest the former grandeur of the
ancient temple.
The Temple of Athena Nike - part of the Acropolis in the city of
Athens. The Greeks built the Temple of Apollo at Didyma, Turkey (about
300 BC). The design of the temple was known as dipteral, a term that
refers to the two sets of columns surrounding the interior section.
These columns surrounded a small chamber that housed the statue of
Apollo. With Ionic columns reaching 19.5 m (64 ft) high, these ruins
suggest the former grandeur of the ancient temple.
Corinthian Order:
- most ornate of the classic orders of architecture. It was also the
latest, not arriving at full development until the middle of the 4th
cent. B.C. The oldest known example, however, is found in the temple of
Apollo at Bassae (c.420 B.C.). The Greeks made little use of the order;
the chief example is the circular structure at Athens known as the
choragic monument of Lysicrates ( 335 B.C.). The temple of Zeus at
Athens (started in the 2d cent. B.C. and completed by Emperor Hadrian in
the 2d cent. A.D.) was perhaps the most notable of the Corinthian
temples.
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Doric Order :
Parthenon -
temple of Athena Parthenos ("Virgin"), Greek goddess
of wisdom, on the Acropolis in Athens. The Parthenon was built in the
5th century BC, and despite the enormous damage it has sustained over
the centuries, it still communicates the ideals of order and harmony for
which Greek architecture is known.
Ionic Order :
Erechtheum - temple from the middle classical period of Greek art
and architecture, built on the Acropolis of Athens between 421 and
405BC.
The Erechtheum contained sanctuaries to Athena Polias, Poseidon, and
Erechtheus. The requirements of the several shrines and the location
upon a sloping site produced an unusual plan. From the body of the
building porticoes project on east, north, and south sides. The eastern
portico, hexastyle Ionic, gave access to the shrine of Athena, which was
separated by a partition from the western cella. The northern portico,
tetrastyle Ionic, stands at a lower level and gives access to the
western cella through a fine doorway. The southern portico, known as the
Porch of the Caryatids (see caryatid) from the six sculptured draped
female figures that support its entablature, is the temple's most
striking feature; it forms a gallery or tribune. The west end of the
building, with windows and engaged Ionic columns, is a modification of
the original, built by the Romans when they restored the building. One
of the east columns and one of the caryatids were removed to London by
Lord Elgin, replicas being installed in their places.
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Architecture in ancient Greece :
Greek life was dominated by religion and so it is not surprising that
the temples of ancient Greece were the biggest and most beautiful.They
also had a political purpose as they were often built to celebrate civic
power and pride, or offer thanksgiving to the patron deity of a city
for success in war.
Greek Temple Architecture :
The Greeks developed three architectural systems, called orders, each
with their own distinctive proportions and detailing. The Greek orders
are: Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian.
Doric
The Doric style is rather sturdy and its top (the capital), is plain.
This style was used in mainland Greece and the colonies in southern
Italy and Sicily.
Ionic
The Ionic style is thinner and more elegant. Its capital is decorated
with a scroll-like design (a volute). This style was found in eastern
Greece and the islands.
Corinthian
The Corinthian style is seldom used in the Greek world, but often seen
on Roman temples. Its capital is very elaborate and decorated with
acanthus leaves.
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Early Bronze Age (2900-200 BC)
The Greek Bronze Age or the Early Helladic Era started around 2800 BC
and lasted till 1050 BC in Crete while in the Aegean islands it started
in 3000 BC. The Bronze Age in Greece is divided into periods such as
Helladic I, II. The information that is available today on the Bronze
Age in Greece is from the architecture, burial styles and lifestyle. The
colonies were made of 300 to 1000 people.
The Bronze Age is known as so because of the invention and introduction
of the metal bronze. This metal made its entry into Greece in 3000 BC,
but it did not make its impact as soon as it arrived. The people from
Dimini from the Neolithic era that had settled in Greece slowly started
the use of Bronze. Knives and swords were carved from the metal. This
metal was more easy to use than stone, bone or wood. Metals such as
gold, silver and lead arrived at the same time as bronze.
The class system in society started with the arrival of metal
depending on their value and availability. Bronze was expensive and
copper was to be brought from other areas. The richer class could afford
the metals and this was proved by the excavations found wherein people
where buried with metal jewelry.
An excellent example of the Early Bronze Age in Greece is the excavation
of the Lerna village. The houses roofs were made with clay tiles and
wall with stones. Baskets were sealed with marks pressed on them. This
proves that even then people did care for their belongings. Fences of
stonewalls were made to protect their houses. But evidence shows that
Lerna was attacked by some colonies and burnt the whole town.
The Bronze Age was also characterized by the burial systems. They
were simple pits or graves carved into rocks. These graves were either
for one person or a complete family. These burial pits and the remains
give us important information on the nutrition and diseases of those
eras. Also they give us an insight on the people's minds on their
beliefs on human behavior and after life.
The settlements of the Early Bronze Age lived on hills or on low plains,
which were close to water. Such regions may have been more fertile for
agricultural and settling purposes. The houses were made of stone
foundations and mud walls. They had the provision of kilns for cooking
and stones counters for sleeping, storage or for cooking. Goods were
stored in containers made of wood or reed or simply dug into the ground.
The economy of the villages depended on production of tools, weapons,
agriculture and art and architecture. In crops they grew cereals and
legumes that was there from the Neolithic Era. Also they introduced
olive trees and wine. In animal husbandry they reared sheep's and goats.
The need for more metals and goods lead to introduction of different
colonies and barter creating set-up for trade. Major production that
contributed to the economy included pottery, stone carving, textile and
metal carving.
Arts and crafts included ceramic pottery, which were painted in earthy
colors. Manufacture of tools was from bone, metals and stones using
advanced technology. Figurines reflected the social and lifestyle
habits. Weaving also constituted an important part, but the remains were
lost in time because they were of perishable nature.
The Early Bronze Age paved the way for Minoans and the Mycenaean Greeks,
which was characterized by its prosperity and the rich empires.
Neolithic period (6000-2900 BC)
According to historians and archeological findings, the Neolithic Age
in Greece lasted from 6800 to 3200 BC. The most domesticated
settlements were in Near East of Greece. They traveled mainly due to
overpopulation. These people introduced pottery and animal husbandry in
Greece. They may as well have traveled via the route of Black sea into
Thrace, which then further leads to Macedonia, Thessaly, Boeotia etc.
The second way of traveling into Greece is from one island to another
and such type of colonies has been found in Knossos and Kythnos.
The main characteristics of this era are the climate stabilization
and the settlements of people. The Neolithic Revolution arrives with
these people who traveled from Anatolia, Turkey. The economy of the
region became steady with organized and methodical farming, stock
rearing and, bartering and sculptures like pottery. People stopped
traveling from region to region and permanent settlements in Greece.
They domesticated animals like sheep and goats and grew plants and
crops. They made their bases around sites where there was ample water
supply and in open landscapes. The Neolithic Greece people can be said
as the first 'farmers' and their lives were less complex and simple.
Archeological findings show more settlements in Northern Greece, like
Thessaly and Sesklo. Villages were found in Thessaly around 6500 BC
while settlements in Sesklo started in 5500 BC. The inhabitants of these
areas couldn't have been more than a hundred people. The houses were
made of stone foundations with a roof made of a thick layer of clay and
timber. They were one-room houses measuring 10 to 50 square metres.
A small village was also found at an area called Nea Nikomedia, where
people resided around 5800 BC. The houses were made of sticks and mud
surrounded by fences.
The villagers made different types of attractive pottery like cups and
dishes. Most of them were designed in a red and white pattern. Excellent
remains of such pottery can found from sites at Sesklo. The figurines
that were created in the Neolithic Era were carved to suggest a female
goddess. Offerings in the form of clay animals and birds to the goddess
have been found in the caves. Till now, the oldest artifacts of
Neolithic Era have been found in the Knossos region dating back to 3500
BC.
The village of Sesklo is supposed to have been destroyed in 4000 BC
with people possibly from Northern Greece who were more armed than the
villagers. These people made new settlements called Dimini, which is
nearby the settlement Thessaly. It covers about 0.8 hectares and
distributed in circular enclosures. At first they were thought to be
built for defence purposes, but later it was found that they for
distribution of land.
Crops and plants that were domesticated by the colonies in Neolithic era
have been ancestors of plants such as barley and animals such as goats,
dogs and pigs. At a settlement in Argissa, findings suggest that
domestication of animals took place as early as 8300 BC. Even in the
Sesklo area, cattle bone fragments have been found.
During the last two decades, the settlements of Neolithic era found have
gone up to one thousand; research is going on how the people of that
Era communicated their economy, technology and the environment they
lived in.
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Mycenaean Age (1600-1100 BC)
The Mycenaean Age dates from around 1600 BC to 1100 BC, during the
Bronze Age. Mycenae is an archaeological site in Greece from which the
name Mycenaean Age is derived. Mycenae site is located in the
Peloponnese, Southern Greece. The remains of a Mycenaean palace were
found at this site, accounting for its importance. Other notable sites
during the Mycenaean Age include Athens, Thebes, Pylos and Tiryns.
According to Homer, the Mycenaean civilization is dedicated to King
Agamemnon who led the Greeks in the Trojan War. The palace found at
Mycenae matches Homer's description of Agamemnon's residence. The amount
and quality of possessions found at the graves at the site provide an
insight to the affluence and prosperity of the Mycenaean civilization.
Prior to the Mycenaean's ascendancy in Greece, the Minoan culture was
dominant. However, the Mycenaeans defeated the Minoans, acquiring the
city of Troy in the process, according to Homer's Illiad (some
historians argue this is Myth rather than fact). Mycenaean culture was
based around its main cities in Mycenae, Tiryns, Pylos, Athens, Thebes,
Orchomenos, and Folksier. The Mycenaeans also inhabited the ruins of
Knossos on Crete, which was a major city during the Minoan era.
Mycenaean and Minoan art melded, forming a cultural amalgamation that is
found on Crete (figurines, sculptures and pottery). During the
Mycenaean civilization the class diversification of rich and poor,
higher classes and lower became more established, with extreme wealth
being mostly reserved for the King, his entourage and other members of
the royal circle. Like the Minoans, the Mycenaeans built grand palaces
and fortified citadels, with administrative and political powers firmly
under royal authority. Mycenaean society was to some extent a warrior
culture and their military was ever prepared for battle, be it in
defence of a city or to protect its wealth and cultural treasures.
The Mycenaeans were bold traders and maintained contact with other
countries from the Mediterranean and Europe. They were excellent
engineers and built outstanding bridges, tombs, residences and palaces.
Their tombs known as 'beehive tombs' were circular in shape with a high
roof. A single passage made of stone led to the tomb. A variety of
possessions, including arms and armour, were buried with the dead,
while the more affluent might also be buried with gold and jewellery.
Interestingly, rather than being buried in a sleeping position,
Mycenaeans were interred in a sitting position, with the richer classes
sometimes being mummified.
The Mycenaeans invented there own script known as Linear B, which was an
improved derivative of Linear A (a language commonly accepted as Minoan
or Eteocretan).
Minoan Age (2000-1400 BC)
Bronze Age civilization, centring on the island of Crete. It was named
after the legendary king Minos. It is divided into three periods: the
early Minoan period (c.3000-2200 B.C.), the Middle Minoan period
(c.2200-1500 B.C.) and the Late Minoan period (c.1500-1000 B.C.).
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Archaic (500-750 BC)
The Archaic Period in Greece refers to the years between 750 and 480
B.C., more particularly from 620 to 480 B.C. The age is defined through
the development of art at this time, specifically through the style of
pottery and sculpture, showing the specific characteristics that would
later be developed into the more naturalistic style of the Classical
period. The Archaic is one of five periods that Ancient Greek history
can be divided into; it was preceded by the Dark Ages and followed by
the Classical period. The Archaic period saw advancements in political
theory, especially the beginnings of democracy, as well as in culture
and art. The knowledge and use of written language which was lost in the
Dark Ages was re-established.
The Dark Ages (750- 1100 BC)
The period between the fall of the Mycenean civilizations and the
readoption of writing in the eigth or seventh century BC. After the
Trojan Wars the Mycenaeans went through a period of civil war, the
country was weak and a tribe called the Dorians took over. Some
speculate that Dorian invaders from the north with iron weapons laid
waste the Mycenaean culture.
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