ACROPOLIS, in Ancient Geography, the citadel and
one of the divisions of Athens, called Polis because
constituting the first and original city, and the Upper
Polis to distinguish it from the lower, which was after-
wards built round it in a large open plain, the Acropolis
standing on a rock or eminence in the heart of this plain;
and hence its name. To the north it had a wall built by
the Pelasgi, and therefore called Pelasgic; and to the
south a wall, by Cimon the son of Miltiades, out of the
Persian spoils, many ages after the building of the north
wall. It had nine gates, and was therefore called En-
neapylon; yet but one principal gate or entrance, the as-
cent to which was by a flight of steps of white marble, built
in a magnificent manner by Pericles.