Acropolis combines Greek material for the topmost part and a city. It can name an elevated fortified area, not just the famous site at Athens. The position is built into the word itself.
This view explains the components. They are pieces of one construction, not consecutive borrowing stages.
Sources
- Merriam-Webster · acropolis
Formation of the word.
- Merriam-Webster · acro-
Meaning and history of this component.