The citadel of an ancient Greek city, most notably of Athens. The Athenian citadel was destroyed by the invading Persians in 480 bc, but Pericles instituted a rebuilding programme. The Parthenon, built 447–432, was a Doric temple containing a gold and ivory statue of Athena. This was followed by the gateway or Propylaea, the temple of Athena Nike (commemorating victory over the Persians), and the Erectheum, which housed the shrines of various cults. See also elgin, thomas bruce, 7th earl of.