The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Archaeology

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acropolis

acropolis (akropolis) [MC].
Hill-top enclosure found in classical Greek cities to give protection to the temple of the patron deity and, in early times, to the king's palace. The acropolis was the nucleus of a community living outside its walls, although it might provide refuge in times of danger. The most famous acropolis is the one in Athens, which was of ancient foundation as a fortified site. Through the influence of Pericles in the 5th century bc it was adorned with a number of exceptional buildings including the Erechtheum and the PARTHENON.

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