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| The Acropolis with Parthenon Looming Over Athens
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This great hill was a sacred site for the ancient Athenians. It rises 230
feet above the surrounding city. In the mid-5th century B.C., Perikles persuaded
the Athenians to begin a construction program of new buildings that has come to
represent the political and cultural achievements of Greece. The work
transformed the Acropolis giving it three contrasting temples - the Parthenon,
the Temple of Athena Nike and the Erechteion - and a monumental
gateway called the Propylaea.
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| The Propylaea
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To explore the ruins of the three temples, we must enter through the
Propylaea. Let's climb to the gateway, for the trek to the top
of the Acropolis. What a fantastic view of Athens and the Sardonic Gulf we get
as we enter the Propylaea and reach the top of the Acropolis. As we pass through
the Propylaea we see a small rectangular hall and six columns. Stop for a
moment and marvel at the architecture of the six Doric columns built of
pure marble. The Propylaea was the first building to combine the Ionic
and Doric styles of architecture.
Let's walk to the south side of the Propylaea, to the small Temple
of Athena Nike, also called the Temple of Wingless Victory. This temple was built after victories
over the Barbarians, and in honor of the goddess Nike, or Victory. The Athena Nike
Temple once contained a sanctuary and an altar for animal sacrifices.
 
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