Altar of Athena Polias

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Site plan of the Acropolis at Athens - this building is number 12 AcropolisatathensSitePlan.png
Site plan of the Acropolis at Athens - this building is number 12

The Altar of Athena Polias was a former structure on the Acropolis of Athens dedicated to the goddess Athena. [1]

Acropolis of Athens Ancient citadel above the city of Athens, Greece

The Acropolis of Athens is an ancient citadel located on a rocky outcrop above the city of Athens and contains the remains of several ancient buildings of great architectural and historic significance, the most famous being the Parthenon. The word acropolis is from the Greek words ἄκρον and πόλις. Although the term acropolis is generic and there are many other acropoleis in Greece, the significance of the Acropolis of Athens is such that it is commonly known as "The Acropolis" without qualification. During ancient times it was known also more properly as Cecropia, after the legendary serpent-man, Cecrops, the supposed first Athenian king.

Athena ancient Greek goddess of wisdom and war

Athena or Athene, often given the epithet Pallas, is an ancient Greek goddess associated with wisdom, handicraft, and warfare who was later syncretized with the Roman goddess Minerva. Athena was regarded as the patron and protectress of various cities across Greece, particularly the city of Athens, from which she most likely received her name. She is usually shown in art wearing a helmet and holding a spear. Her major symbols include owls, olive trees, snakes, and the Gorgoneion.

The altar's foundations were laid in 525 B.C. by the sons of the Athenian dictator Peisistratus, but may have overlaid an earlier temple constructed between 599 and 550. [1] The altar itself stood within a narrow temple atop a marble pediment depicting battles between gods and giants. Images of Athena are shown as dominant and victorious within the armies of the gods. [2]

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References

  1. 1 2 Buckley, Terry (2010). Aspects of Greek History: 750-323 BC. London: Routledge. p. 109. ISBN   9780415549776.
  2. Buckley 2010, p. 2010


Coordinates: 37°58′19″N23°43′36″E / 37.9719°N 23.7268°E / 37.9719; 23.7268

Geographic coordinate system Coordinate system

A geographic coordinate system is a coordinate system that enables every location on Earth to be specified by a set of numbers, letters or symbols. The coordinates are often chosen such that one of the numbers represents a vertical position and two or three of the numbers represent a horizontal position; alternatively, a geographic position may be expressed in a combined three-dimensional Cartesian vector. A common choice of coordinates is latitude, longitude and elevation. To specify a location on a plane requires a map projection.