ACROPOLIS (Gr. akros, top, polis, city), literally
the upper part of a town. For purposes of defence early
settlers naturally chose elevated ground, frequently a hill
with precipitous sides, and these early citadels became in many
parts of the world the nuclei of large cities which grew up
on the surrounding lower ground. The word Acropolis, though
Greek in origin and associated primarily with Greek towns
(Athens, Argos, Thebes, Corinth), may be applied generically
to all such citadels (Rome, Jerusalem, many in Asia Minor,
or even Castle Hill at Edinburgh). The most famous is that
of Athens, which, by reason of its historical associations
and the famous buildings erected upon it, is generally known
without qualification as the Acropolis (see ATHENS).
Initial text from 1911 encyclopedia