The Acropolis (from the Greek acros, meaning high or upper and polis, meaning ''city) of Athens is a steep-sided hill supporting several temples and other buildings. Archaeological evidence indicates it has been used since Neolithic times and that it appears to have been a sacred site at all times.

During the Classical period of the 5th century BCE in Athens, following the destructions of earlier temples by the Persians, the Greek general and statesman, Pericles (c. 500-429 BCE), initiated a vast rebuilding campaign for the Acropolis. The Propylaea (gateway) and the Parthenon were completed during his lifetime, but work on the Temple of Athena Nike and the Erechtheum was not begun until after his death .

The Parthenon (447-438 BCE)
The principal temple on the Acropolis is the Parthenon. Completed in 438 BCE as a temple dedicated to Athena, the patron goddess of Athens, the Parthenon is recognised as being the most perfect Doric temple ever built.

The goddess Athena was clever; resourceful; and, for a maiden, rather ferocious. Athena was the armed protector of all Greek poleis, not only Athens. She was the daughter of Zeus and Metis.

Erechtheum (421-405 BCE)
The Erechtheum is on the northern side of the Acropolis, opposite the Parthenon. This complex Ionic building is built on an uneven site. The eastern room was dedicated to Athena in her aspect as patron of the city.

One of the masterpieces of Greek architecture, it was constructed between c.421 B.C. and 405 B.C. to replace an earlier temple to Athena destroyed by the Persians. Its design is sometimes ascribed to the architect Mnesicles. The Erechtheum contained sanctuaries to Athena Polias, Poseidon, and Erechtheus.