Acropolis means “high city” in Greek, literally city on the extremity
and is usually translated into English as Citadel (akros, akron, edge,
extremity + polis, city, pl. acropoleis). For purposes of defense, early
people naturally chose elevated ground to build a new settlement,
frequently a hill with precipitous sides. In many parts of the world,
these early citadels became the nuclei of large cities, which grew up on
the surrounding lower ground, such as modern Rome.
The word acropolis, although Greek in origin and associated primarily
with the Greek cities Athens, Argos, Thebes, and Corinth (with its
Acrocorinth), may be applied generically to all such citadels, including
Rome, Jerusalem, Celtic Bratislava, many in Asia Minor, or even Castle
Rock in Edinburgh. An example in Ireland is the Rock of Cashel.
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