ACROPOLIS, literally the upper part of a town (Gr. twos top, rats city). For purposes of defence early settlers chose elevated ground, frequently a hill with precipitous sides, and these early citadels became in many parts of the world the nuclei of large cities which grew up on the surrounding lower ground. The word Acropolis, though associated primarily with Greek towns (Athens, Argos, Thebes, Corinth), is applied to all such citadels. The most famous is that of Athens, which, by reason of its his torical associations and the famous buildings erected upon it, is generally known as the Acropolis (see ATHENS) .