D'Ooge, Martin L.: The Acropolis of Athens (New York, 1908)

3«

THE ACROPOLIS OF ATHENS

irregular and intended to be covered up and out of sight. The
level and trend of the older ascent may also be traced in the
foundations of the north wing of the Propylaea, where we see
the line of the successive steps indicated by the character of
the masonry. This change of level is also shown by the
existence of the podium (see Fig. 9), which supports the steps
leading up to the platform of the Nike temple, and which
was built in connection with the great marble stairway.

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Fig. 9.—The Bastion of the Temple of Athena Victory. Modern steps built of
ancient material.

The ascent up the Acropolis was guarded at the right, the
unprotected side of an attacking foe, by the great bastion
whose summit is crowned by the temple of Athena Victory.
That from earliest times the approach to the Acropolis was
guarded at this point is undoubted. The existence of an
earlier tower {fyrgos) at this point, making a part of the
old Pelargicon is attested by the blocks of polygonal masonry
which are still to be seen behind the north face of the wall in
a hole a little way up the ascent. It was doubtless Cimon
who built the bastion of square blocks of limestone in connec-