On Paul’s 2nd Missionary Journey, he taught the Gospel at Athens, reasoning with those in the synagogues as well as in the market place. Acts 18:18-20 tells us of another teaching opportunity that arose:
Then certain Epicurean and Stoic philosophers encountered him. And some said, “What does this babbler want to say?” Others said, “He seems to be a proclaimer of foreign gods,” because he preached to them Jesus and the resurrection. And they took him and brought him to the Areopagus, saying, “May we know what this new doctrine is of which you speak? “For you are bringing some strange things to our ears. Therefore we want to know what these things mean.”
The word Areopagus means “Rock of Ares.” Ares is the the Greek god of war. Pagos is “rock.” The word Areopagus is used both with reference to the ruling council of Athens, as well as the place where the council met. Our photo shows the steps leading up to the Areopagus.
Steps leading up the the Areopagus in Athens. Photo by Leon Mauldin.
The Areopagus is also called “Mars Hill.” Mars was the Roman god of war. Photo below shows a few of my group on the top of the Areopagus. Bob Berry, center, quoted Paul’s sermon preached here (Acts 17).
Areopagus. A few of our 2010 tour group. Photo by Leon Mauldin.
The Areopagus is composed of marble. It is worn quite slick in places, so be careful of your footing if you have the occasion to visit.
Areopagus in Athens. Photo by Leon Mauldin.
The shot above was taken from near the Parthenon.
Click on images for higher resolution.
Leon's Message Board 
Thanks for the picture! At least I look better in the picture(I think!) than I felt that day. If you remember, this was the day I was so sick. But it was still a great day!
Bob did such a great job quoting Paul’s speech from Acts.
Dennis
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Dennis, I do remember how sick you were that day. That is not what one wants to make a trip “memorable” but you were a good sport about it.
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[…] Message Board has a post on the Areopagus here, which includes the above […]
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Dear Brother Mauldin,
I’m a grad student at Houston Baptist University.
I write to ask permission to use some of your excellent photos in my Power Point presentation on the Apostle Paul’s sermon given on the Areopagus.
I would make sure to give proper credit to you as the photographer.
Thank you for your great blog. I’m enjoying reading it.
Blessings!
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[…] teaching” (Acts 17:16-19). We have previously posted on Paul’s sermon at the Areopagus here and […]
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