(I) For thousands of years the monuments of the
Athenian Acropolis have been regarded not only as
examples of extraordinary skill and beauty, but also as
powerful symbols of religious devotion and civic identity.
(II) Over the millennia the deterioration of these
monuments as a result of the passage of time, and the
damage to them from many other causes have been
almost incalculable. (III) Although there were many
important sanctuaries and public spaces in Athens, the
Acropolis stands as what might be called the central
repository of Athenians’ conceptions of themselves.
(IV) Its monuments and sculptures presented images of
the gods and goddesses – Athena above all – and also
of the Athenians and their heroes. (V) According to
classical art historians, the intention of these works was
to represent Athens as the greatest of Greek cities and
the Athenians as the greatest of Greeks.