The prehistoric wall around the Acropolis of Athens followed the contours of the rock and was referred to as the Pelargikon. The name Pelargikon was also applied to the Nine Gates on the west end of the Acropolis wall. Pisistratus and sons used the acropolis as their citadel, but was not used as a citadel after them. When the wall was destroyed, it was not replaced, but sections probably survived into Roman times and remnants remain.
The accompanying map shows, to the southeast, the most famous Greek theater, the Theatre of Dionysus, the site of which was in use until late Roman times from the 6th century B.C., when it was used as an orchestra. The first permanent theater was erected at the start of the 5th century B.C., following an accidental collapse of the spectators' wooden benches.
Source: The Attica of Pausanias, by Pausanias, Mitchell Carroll. Boston: Ginn and COmpany 1907.
