The Acropolis offers such an excellent safe haven and towering presence, it's no wonder that the Athenians chose this spot to create their history shaping city.

We'll look closely at the Acropolis and its fundamental role in the city. We'll break down its archaeological history, from construction to ruin to discovery to reconstruction, giving you the tools to help you read the monuments. We'll learn about the difference between the different orders of architecture (Doric, Ionic, etc.) and how the ancient Greeks planned, designed, and executed these amazing structures.

Our visit will cover the main buildings on the Acropolis, including the Erechtheion, temple of Athena Nike, the Propylaia, and, of course, the Parthenon. We'll spend considerable time discussing the role of religion in Athenian culture and cover, in broad gestures, the sweep of ancient Greek history. Certainly with the wonderful views of the rest of the city, we'll look at how the rock of the Acropolis itself serves as a kind of anchor to the modern development of Athens.

We'll emerge with a deeper understanding of Athenian society and the central position of the Acropolis in it.