Acropolis

Acropolis means “elevated city” in Greek, literally city on the extremity and is usually translated into English as Citadel. For purposes of defense, early people naturally choose eminent ground to build a new settlement, normally a hill with precipitous sides.

In many parts of the world, these early citadels became the nuclei of big cities, which grew up on the surrounding lower ground, such as modern Rome.The word acropolis, although Greek in origin and associated mainly with the Greek cities Athens, Argos, Thebes, and Corinth (with its Acrocorinth), may be applied generally to all such citadels, including Rome, Jerusalem, Celtic Bratislava, many in Asia Minor, or even Castle Rock in Edinburgh. An example in Ireland is the Rock of Castle.