Acropolis means high city in Greek. The Acopolis in Athens was built on top of what is known as the Sacred Rock, and it was supposed to radiate power and protection for its citizens.
Much of the original Acropolis, including the Older Parthenon, was destroyed in 480 BC when Persians invaded Athens. Many temples were rebuilt during the Golden Age of Athens (460–430 BC) when Pericles was the ruler. Phidias, a great Athenian sculptor, and two famous architects, Ictinus and Callicrates, played key roles in the reconstruction of the Acropolis.
Today, the Parthenon is an international symbol of Greek civilization and the temples of the Acropolis have become some of the world's most famous architectural landmarks.