The city's archaeology is best understood through its major civic and religious centers, many of which were monumentalized during the following the Persian sack in 480 BCE.

: The most significant archaeological site, once a Mycenaean citadel and later the city's religious core. Major surviving structures include:

: A masterpiece of Classical architecture dedicated to Athena.

: Later additions, such as the Roman Agora , Hadrian’s Library , and the Temple of Olympian Zeus , reflect the city's continued prestige under Roman rule. Essential Archaeological Resources