-1 101 Z Athens grew up around its acropolis - its fortress and religious centre. Most of its buildings were destroyed by the Persians in 480 BC. After its success against the Persians, however, Athens rapidly grew in size and in stature. It was rebuilt in the 440s using money from its silver mines at Laurion and from the tribute of its allies.
36 102 K The Erechtheion was a smaller temple on the Acropolis which housed the most sacred wooden statue of Athena. Its porch contains marble statues of women which hold up the roof instead of columns. It was named after a legendary king of Athens.
# Erechtheion, Erechtheion.
3 102 L The Panathenaic way was a special road that went from the Sacred Gate in the lower city, through the Agora and market and then up to the temples and altars dedicated to Athena on the Acropolis.
# Panathenaic Way, Panathenaic Way.
35 102 M The Propylaia was the huge gateway to the Acropolis. Building began on it in 437 BC: it cost more than any city had ever previously paid for a gateway. The Temple of Wingless Victory (at top right) stands by the Propylaia. It too was built in the late 5th century BC.
# Propylaia and Temple of Wingless Victory, Photo of the Propylaia and the Temple of Wingless Victory.
9 101 X The Theseion on the edge of the Agora (also called the Hephaisteion) was a Doric hexastyle(six-columned) temple. It was the first great building to be constructed after the Persian Wars.
# Theseion, Theseion
32 101 X The Odeion (or theatre) of Herodes Atticus was built in Roman times. It was one of the last great public buildings to be constructed at Athens in antiquity.
# Odeion, Odeion
11 101 X The octagonal 'Tower of the Winds' was built in the 1st century BC by the astronomer Andronicos of Cyrrhos. It functioned as a sundial, water clock, and weather vane. The reliefs at its top represented the eight winds.
# Tower of the Winds, Tower of the Winds
34 101 X The temple of Olympian Zeus, the largest temple at Athens, was a huge complex that took centuries to complete. It was first planned in 515 BC but lay unfinished until 174 BC.
# Temple of Olympian Zeus, Temple of Olympian Zeus
40 101 X The city walls were immediately rebuilt at the end of the Persian Wars despite Spartan efforts to prevent it. In the 450s BC the walls were extended to include the port of Piraeus which was located some distance away. The walls proved crucial in the defence of Athens throughout the Peloponnesian War with Sparta.
# City Walls
10 101 X The Agora was the civic centre of Athens and was bounded by many administrative, religious, and commercial buildings. Citizens met in the open space to discuss and debate topics such as politics and philosophy. The Agora was the heart of community life in Athens.
