Areopagus (Mars Hill), Athens
The Areopagus, as seen from the Acropolis. Photo
AJ Alfieri-Crispin.
Greek text of Paul's sermon on Mars Hill. Photo
cormac70.
Approach to the Areopagus, a.k.a. Mars Hill. Photo
Howard Chalkley.
Old marble steps to the top of the hill. Photo
Nathan Gibbs.
Taking in the view on the Areopagus. Photo
Aaron Tyo-Dickerson.
Location map and aerial view of Areopagus (Mars Hill). For a larger view, see our Athens Map or Google Earth download.
The Areopagus or Mars Hill is a bare marble hill next to the Acropolis in Athens. It is especially popular with travelers for its connections with a speech made by Paul the Apostle.
Myth and Mystery
According to Greek mythology, Ares was tried in a court of the gods on this hill for the murder of Poseidon's son Alirrothios. Another legend says that the hill was the site of the trial of Orestes for killing his stepmother and her lover, Clytemnestra and Aegisthus.
History
In pre-classical times (before the 5th century BC), the Areopagus was the council of elders of the city, like the Roman Senate. Like the Senate, its membership derived from those who had held high public office, in this case that of Archon. In 462 BC, Ephialtes put through reforms which deprived the Areopagus of almost all its functions except that of a murder tribunal.
In classical times, the Areopagus functioned as the chief homicide court of Athens. At the foot of the Areopagus was a temple dedicated to the Erinyes, where murderers could find sanctuary.
In the Bible
The Areopagus, like most city-state institutions, continued to function in Roman times, and it was then that the Apostle Paul delivered his famous speech about the identity of "the Unknown God." According to the biblical account (Acts 17):
A group of Epicurean and Stoic philosophers began to dispute with him. Some of them asked, "What is this babbler trying to say?" Others remarked, "He seems to be advocating foreign gods." They said this because Paul was preaching the good news about Jesus and the resurrection.
Then they took him and brought him to a meeting of the Areopagus, where they said to him, "May we know what this new teaching is that you are presenting? You are bringing some strange ideas to our ears, and we want to know what they mean. (All the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there spent their time doing nothing but talking about and listening to the latest ideas.)
Paul then stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus and said: "Men of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious. For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. Now what you worship as something unknown I am going to proclaim to you."
...When they heard about the resurrection of the dead, some of them sneered, but others said, "We want to hear you again on this subject." At that, Paul left the Council. A few men became followers of Paul and believed. Among them was Dionysius, a member of the Areopagus, also a woman named Damaris, and a number of others.
What to See
The Areopagus is a bare marble hill across from the entrance to the Acropolis. Its ancient marble steps can be slippery, especially in the rain. Wear appropriate shoes! Near the base of the stairs is a bronze plaque with the Greek text of Paul's sermon. At the top there are nice views of the Acropolis.
Quick Facts
| Names: | Areopagus (Mars Hill); Hill of Ares; Areios Pagos |
| City: | Athens |
| State/Province: | Attica |
| Country: | Greece |
| Categories: | Biblical Sites; |
| Faith: | Christianity |
| Features: | Footsteps of Paul |
| Coordinates: | 37.97246° N, 23.722132° E |
| Cost: | Free |
| Accessibility: | Not handicapped accessible. |
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Article Sources
Article written by Holly Hayes with reference to the following sources:
- Athens: Ancient Monuments - Frommer's Greece
- Areopagus - Wikipedia
- Areopagus (Mars Hill) - Holy Land Photos
- The Council of the Areopagus - Demos: Classical Athenian Democracy
- Mars Hill - David Padfield
- Paul's Mars Hill Appeal - Let Us Reason
