Britannica
Sources used in this answer
What historical events caused major damage to the buildings on the Acropolis of Athens?
Created from Britannica articles
using AI.
AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
acropolis of Athens
View of the acropolis in Athens with the Parthenon (upper center right).
The Acropolis of Athens has sustained damage from several historical events. During the Greco-Persian Wars, the Persians captured and destroyed the city in 480 BCE, burning the Acropolis buildings and carrying off statues. Later, in 1687, Venetian artillery bombardment during a conflict with the Turks caused a powder magazine stored in the Parthenon to explode, destroying the center of the building. The Venetians also inadvertently damaged sculptures while attempting to loot them. Additionally, the temple of Athena Nike was demolished by the Turks in 1686 to use its stones for defenses against the Venetians.1234