How was the Acropolis built?

Answer 1

The Ancient Greeks used limestone to build almost all of their temples. The acropolis itself which is above the city of Athens, was built to very exacting dimensions which were measured by Greek mathematicians. The limestone was quarried nearby and then dragged up the acropolis using rollers underneath. The foundation was first laid and then the columns were erected. The columns themselves were not built as one piece. The columns were maid in pieces called drums adding rounded and fluted pieces until the desired height was accomplished. Some of the smaller temples, however, were built using columns made of one piece of limestone. After the columns the roof was built which was usually an open sky at the top. Then the carvings on the lintel were made by the famous Greek sculptures. Most temples are known by the type of design at the top of the columns. There were three varieties. The Doric, which was a simple square at top, the Ionic which used a two sided scroll and the Corinthian which had intricate flower designs at the top of the column. There are hundreds of Greek temples but the Acropolis temple to Athene Nike is the most famous. Each temple had one of the three designs at the top of the fluted column.