Children of Mars by Paul G. Day5/21/2023 ![]() ![]() ![]() Unlike the Sanhedrin, however, the Athenian Areopagus was primarily interested in defending a Greek concept of “the gods.” Both were used somewhat like a court to settle disputes and judge certain cases. Both were considered “conservative” in the sense of mostly defending the status quo. Both groups were composed of distinct sects holding contrary beliefs in certain areas. Both were groups of respected local men charged with investigating spiritual or philosophical ideas. The purpose of the Athenian Areopagus was similar to that of the Jewish Sanhedrin. For the most part, however, the term Areopagus as used in Acts chapter 17 refers to the group of Athenian leaders and thinkers who met on the hill. When Paul gave his famous address on Mars Hill, one could say this occurred both “at” the Areopagus and “in front of” the Areopagus. The older Greek term, Areopagus, was still used in Paul’s day, mostly in reference to the council that met there. By the time of Paul and the early Christian church, this location was under Roman control, so the spot was known as Mars Hill. This location was called Areopagus, a combination of the Greek words for “god of war” and “stone”: the Areopagus is literally “Ares’ Rock.” The equivalent to Ares in Roman mythology is Mars. This area was once used as a forum for the rulers of Athens to hold trials, debate, and discuss important matters. Northwest of the city of Athens, Greece, is a small hill covered in stone seats. ![]()
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