An
acropolis (; from
akros or
akron, "highest", "topmost", "outermost" and
polis, "city"; plural in English:
acropoles,
acropoleis or
acropolises) is a
settlement, especially a
citadel, built upon an area of elevated ground—frequently a hill with
precipitous sides, chosen for purposes of defense. In many parts of the world, acropoleis became the nuclei of large cities of
classical antiquity, such as
ancient Rome, and for this reason they are sometimes prominent landmarks in modern cities with ancient pasts, such as modern
Rome.
