acropolis
noun
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The Greek root acro- means "high;" thus, an acropolis is basically a "high city". Ancient cities often grew up around a high point, in order that they could easily be defended. The Greeks and Romans usually included in their acropolises temples to the city's most important gods; so, for example, Athens built a great temple on its Acropolis to its protector goddess, Athena, from which the city took its name. Many later European cities cluster around a walled castle on a height, into which the population of the city and the surrounding area could retreat in case of attack, and even South American cities often contain a similar walled area on high ground.
Example Sentences
Andrew Lawler, Time, 3 Nov. 2021 And in the town of Lindos, there's an ancient Greek acropolis at the top of the hill, a medieval village in the middle, and a modern town on the beach at the bottom. Eleni N. Gage, Travel + Leisure, 27 July 2021 Thirty-three suites, each with private patio, decorated in cool and soothing earth tones, with furniture made by local carpenters, offer shelter from the sun, with views of nearby hills — including one topped by a Mycenaean acropolis. Travel + Leisure Staff, Travel + Leisure, 19 Feb. 2020 The acropolis of Glas, with its three-kilometer (1.9-mile) fortification walls, is the biggest of its era in Greece. Washington Post, 8 Nov. 2019 The big pavilion stands apart from the rest of the Clinic campus on a low rise amid lawns and additional rows of trees like a Greek temple on an acropolis. Steven Litt, cleveland.com, 14 July 2019 Temple of Sibilla Built in the second century B.C., this rectangular ancient Roman temple is located on the acropolis of Tivoli near the Temple of Vesta. Laura Itzkowitz, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Mar. 2018 Just admire it while exploring the acropolis overlooking Villa Gregoriana. Laura Itzkowitz, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Mar. 2018 Moses sold the Met, the New York Philharmonic and other institutions on the idea of a cultural acropolis on Manhattan's west side to be known as Lincoln Center. Kenneth Turan, latimes.com, 15 Mar. 2018 See More Word History
borrowed from Greek akrópolis, from akro- acro- + pólis "city, body of citizens" — more at police entry 1
1570, in the meaning defined above