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The Areopagus is a rocky outcrop northwest of the Acropolis in Athens, Greece. It overlooks the Agora to the north.
The Areopagus, also known as Mars Hill, is about 115 meters high. Its name probably derives from Ares, the god of war, and the Arae, the female spirits of curses who were associated to the underworld.
Council
Before the 6th century BC, possibly as early as the 8th century BC, the hill was the meeting place of the Areopagus Council. It was a judicial council that discussed cases of murder, sacrilege, arson, and eventually treason. The council grew in influence and political power in the 4th century BC and continued to function into the Roman period. It ceased operations by at least the early 5th century. In addition to hosting the council, Areopagus was a place of worship with several sanctuaries located there.
Structures on the Hill
In the 6th century BC, the hillside became a residential quarter belonging to the deme of Melite. Access was provided via stairways cut right into the rock. By the 4th or 5th century, the buildings on the north slope were replaced by four luxury houses that probably served as schools of philosophy.
The Areopagus and Christianity
The Areopagus played an important role in Christian history. In 51 AD, the Apostle Paul delivered the Areopagus Sermon on the hill and many Athenians converted to Christianity. Among them was Dionysius the Areopagite, who became the first Bishop of Athens. A plaque commemorating the sermon sits near the stairway to the top of the hill.
In the 16th century, the Church of Saint Dionysius the Areopagite was built on the northern slope of the hill. It was a three-aisled basilica with a narthex to the west. It was surrounded to the north and west by the Archbishop’s Palace, which was built between the middle of the 16th and the end of the 17th century. The palace was a huge complex with warehouses, a kitchen, dining hall, and two winepresses.
Views from the Hill
Finally, the hill is a great place for views of the city. In addition to the amazing perspective of the Acropolis, it’s possible to see the entire Agora, the Pnyx, the Hill of the Muses, Thiseio, and more.
