Topical Encyclopedia
Athens, the renowned city of ancient Greece, is mentioned in the New Testament of the Bible, specifically in the Book of Acts. Known for its rich history in philosophy, arts, and politics, Athens was a center of learning and culture during the time of the Apostle Paul. The city was named after Athena, the Greek goddess of wisdom, and was famous for its intellectual and cultural achievements.
Biblical Reference:Athens is prominently featured in
Acts 17:15-34, where the Apostle Paul visits the city during his second missionary journey. Paul arrives in Athens after being escorted from Berea due to opposition from the Jews there. While waiting for Silas and Timothy, Paul is deeply troubled by the idolatry he observes in the city.
Acts 17:16 states, "While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was greatly distressed to see that the city was full of idols."
Paul's Ministry in Athens:Paul engages with both Jews and God-fearing Greeks in the synagogue and with others in the marketplace daily. His teachings attract the attention of Epicurean and Stoic philosophers, who bring him to the Areopagus, a prominent rock outcropping used for council meetings and philosophical discussions. Here, Paul delivers his famous sermon, addressing the Athenians' religiosity and introducing them to the "unknown god" they worship without knowledge.
In
Acts 17:22-23 , Paul begins his address: "Men of Athens, I see that in every way you are very religious. For as I walked around and examined your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. Therefore what you worship as something unknown, I now proclaim to you."
Paul uses this opportunity to preach about the one true God, the Creator of the world, who does not dwell in temples made by human hands. He emphasizes God's nearness to humanity and calls for repentance in light of the coming judgment through Jesus Christ, whom God raised from the dead.
Response to Paul's Message:The response to Paul's message in Athens is mixed. Some mock him, particularly at the mention of the resurrection, while others express interest in hearing more.
Acts 17:32-34 records, "When they heard about the resurrection of the dead, some began to scoff, but others said, 'We want to hear you again on this topic.' At that, Paul left the Areopagus. But some joined him and believed, including Dionysius the Areopagite, a woman named Damaris, and others with them."
Cultural and Religious Context:Athens was a city steeped in polytheism, with numerous temples and altars dedicated to various gods and goddesses. The Athenians prided themselves on their philosophical heritage, being the home of Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle. The presence of Epicurean and Stoic philosophers during Paul's visit highlights the city's engagement with diverse philosophical ideas.
The Epicureans believed in seeking pleasure and avoiding pain as the highest good, often denying the existence of an afterlife. The Stoics, on the other hand, emphasized rationality and self-control, believing in a divine reason that pervades the universe. Paul's message challenged both groups by presenting a personal God who is actively involved in the world and who has appointed a day of judgment.
Significance in Early Christianity:Paul's visit to Athens represents a significant moment in the spread of Christianity into the intellectual heart of the Greco-Roman world. His approach in Athens demonstrates the early Christian mission's adaptability, engaging with different cultural and philosophical contexts while remaining faithful to the core message of the Gospel. The conversion of individuals like Dionysius the Areopagite suggests that even in a city known for its skepticism and intellectual pride, the message of Christ found fertile ground.
Smith's Bible Dictionary
Athens(city of Athene), the capital of Attica, and the chief seat of Grecian learning and civilization during the golden period of the history of Greece.Description --Athens is situated about three miles from the seacoast, in the central plain of Attica. In this plain rise several eminences Of these the most prominent is a lofty insulated mountain with a conical peaked Summit, now called the Hill of St. George, and which bore in ancient times the name ofLycabettus . This mountain, which was not included within the ancient walls, lies to the northeast of Athens, and forms the most striking feature in the environs of the city. It is to Athens what Vesuvius is to Naples, or Arthur's Seat to Edinburgh Southwest of Lycabettua there are four hills of moderate height, all of which formed part of the city. Of these the nearest to Lycabettus and at the distance of a mile from the latter, was theAeropolis , or citadel of Athens, a square craggy rock rising abruptly about 150 feet, with a flat summit of about 1000 feet long from east to west, by 500 feet broad from north to south. Immediately west of the Aeropolis is a second hill of irregular form, theAreopagus (Mars' Hill). To the southwest there rises a third hill, thePnyx , on which the assemblies of the citizens were held. South of the city was seen the Saronic Gulf, with the harbors of Athens.History. --Athens is said to have derived its name from the prominence given to the worship of the goddess Athena (Minerva) by its king, Erechtheus. The inhabitants were previously called Cecropidae, from Cecrops, who, according to tradition, was the original founder of the city. This at first occupied only the hill or rock which afterwards became the Acropolis; but gradually the buildings spread over the ground at the southern foot of this hill. It was not till the time of Pisistratus and his sons (B.C. 560-514) that the city began to assume any degree of splendor. The most remarkable building of these despots was the gigantic temple of the Olympian Zeus or Jupiter. Under Themistocles the Acropolis began to form the centre of the city, round which the new walls described an irregular circle of about 60 stadia or 7 1/4 miles in circumference. Themistocles transferred the naval station of the Athenians to the peninsula of Piraeus, which is distant about 4 1/2 miles from Athens, and contains three natural harbors. It was not till the administration of Pericles that the walls were built which connected Athens with her ports.Buildings. --Under the administration of Pericles, Athens was adorned with numerous public buildings, which existed in all their glory when St. Paul visited the city. The Acropolis was the centre of the architectural splendor of Athens. It was covered with the temples of gods and heroes; and thus its platform presented not only a sanctuary, but a museum containing the finest productions of the architect and the sculptor, in which the whiteness of the marble was relieved by brilliant colors, and rendered still more dazzling by the transparent clearness of the Athenian atmosphere. The chief building was theParthenon (i.e. House of the Virgin), the most perfect production of Grecian architecture. It derived its name from its being the temple of Athena Parthenos, or Athena the Virgin, the invincible goddess of war. It stood on the highest part of the Acropolis, near its centre. It was entirely of Pentelic marble, on a rustic basement of ordinary limestone, and its architecture, which was of the Doric order, was of the purest kind. It was adorned with the most exquisite sculptures, executed by various artists under the direction of Phidias. But the chief wonder of the Parthenon was the colossal statue of the virgin goddess executed by Phidias himself: The Acropolis was adorned with another colossal figure of Athena, in bronze, also the work of Phidias. It stood in the open air, nearly opposite the Propylaea. With its pedestal it must have been about 70 feet high, and consequently towered above the roof of the Parthenon, so that the point of its spear and the crest of its helmet were visible off the promontory of Sunium to ships approaching Athens. TheAreopagus , or Hill of Ares (Mars), is described elsewhere. [MARS HILL? HILL] The Pnyx, or place for holding the public assemblies of the Athenians, stood on the side of a low rocky hill, at the distance of about a quarter of a mile from the Areopagus. Between the Pnyx on the west) the Areopagus on the north and the Acropolis on the east, and closely adjoining the base of these hills, stood the Agora or "Market," where St. Paul disputed daily. Through it ran the road to the gymnasium and gardens of theAcademy , which were situated about a mile from the walls. The Academy was the place where Plato and his disciples taught. East of the city, and outside the walls was the Lyceum, a gymnasium dedicated to Apollo Lyceus, and celebrated as the place in which Aristotle taught.Character. --The remark of the sacred historian respecting the inquisitive character of the Athenians (Acts 17:21) is attested by the unanimous voice of antiquity. Their natural liveliness was partly owing to the purity and clearness of the atmosphere of Attica, which also allowed them to pass much of their time in the open air. The Athenian carefulness in religion is confirmed by the ancient writers. Of the Christian church, founded by St. Paul at Athens, according to ecclesiastical tradition, Dionysius the Areopagite was the first bishop. [DIONYSIUS]Present condition. -- (The population of Athens in 1871 was 48,000. Its university has 52 professors and 1200 students. Educational institutions are very numerous. A railway connects the Pirzeus or port with the city and its terminus stands in the midst of what was once the Agora.--ED.)
ATS Bible Dictionary
AthensThe city of Minerva, the chief city of Attica in Greece, situated on the Saronic Gulf, forty-six miles east of Corinth, and about five miles from the coast. The city was in a plain extending to the sea on the southwest, where it had three ports, the passage to which was defended by long and broad walls. Several rocky hills rose in the plain, the largest of which was the citadel, or Acropolis. Around this the city was built, most of the buildings spreading towards the sea. The summit of the hill was nearly level, about eight hundred feet long and four hundred wide. The only way to the Acropolis was through the Propylea, a magnificent gateway on the western side, adorned with two temples decorated with the finest pieces of sculpture and painting. These splendid portals crowned an ascent by marble steps to the summit of the hill, on which were erected the temples of the guardian divinities of Athens. On the left was the temple of Pallas Athene, (Minerva,) regarded as the protectress of the city. Under the same roof was the temple of Neptune. In the area, on a high pedestal, stood a bronze statue of Minerva seventy feet high. On the right arose the Parthenon, the glory of Athens, the noblest triumph of Grecian architecture. From whatever quarter the traveller arrived, the first thing he saw was the Parthenon rearing its lofty head above the city and the citadel. Its ruins, still sublime in decay, are the first object that attracts the eye of a stranger. It was of the Doric order of architecture, built of beautiful white marble, and was about one hundred feet wide, two hundred and twenty-six feet deep, and seventy feet high. There was a double portico of columns at the two fronts, and a single row along each side. There was an architrave, or frieze, along the exterior of the nave, beautifully sculptured, with the representation of a procession in honor of Minerva. Within the temple was a statue of Minerva, by Phidias, celebrated for its exquisite beauty. It was make of gold and ivory, and was nearly forty feet high. The goddess was represented erect, covered with her aegis, holding in one had a lance, and in the other a figure of victory. At the foot of the Acropolis, on one side was the Odeum, or music hall, and the theatre of Bacchus: on the other side was the Prytaneum, where the chief magistrates and most meritorious citizens were entertained at a table furnished at the public expense. A small valley lay between the Acropolis and the hill on which the Areopagus held its session; it also separated the Areopagus from the Pnyx, a small rocky hill on which the general assemblies of the people were held. Here the spot is yet pointed out from which the eminent orators addressed the people. It is cut in the natural rock. In this vicinity also was the agora, or marketplace,Acts 17:17, an open square surrounded by beautiful structures; while on every side altars, shrines, and temples were seen, some of them exceedingly magnificent. This beautiful city was also celebrated for the military talents and the learning, eloquence, and politeness of its inhabitants. It was the very flower of ancient civilization; its schools of philosophy were the most illustrious in the world, and its painters, sculptors, and architects have never been surpassed. Yet no city was so "wholly given to idolatry." The apostle Paul visited it about the year A. D. 52, and though alone among its proud philosophers, preached Jesus and the resurrection to them with fidelity and success,Acts 17:15 34. SeeAREOPAGUS. At present Athens is comparatively in ruins, and has a population of about 28,000 addicted to the superstitions of the Greek Church.
Easton's Bible Dictionary
The capital of Attica, the most celebrated city of the ancient world, the seat of Greek literature and art during the golden period of Grecian history. Its inhabitants were fond of novelty (
Acts 17:21), and were remarkable for their zeal in the worship of the gods. It was a sarcastic saying of the Roman satirist that it was "easier to find a god at Athens than a man."
On his second missionary journey Paul visited this city (Acts 17:15; Comp.1 Thessalonians 3:1), and delivered in the Areopagus his famous speech (17:22-31). The altar of which Paul there speaks as dedicated "to the [properly "an"] unknown God" (23) was probably one of several which bore the same inscription. It is supposed that they originated in the practice of letting loose a flock of sheep and goats in the streets of Athens on the occasion of a plague, and of offering them up in sacrifice, at the spot where they lay down, "to the god concerned."
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
ATHENSath'-enz Athenai In antiquity the celebrated metropolis of Attica, now the capital of Greece. Two long walls, 250 ft. apart, connected the city with the harbor (Peiraeus). InActs 17 we are told what Paul did during his single sojourn in this famous city. He came up from the sea by the new road (North of the ancient) along which were altars of unknown gods, entered the city from the West, and passed by the Ceramicus (burial-ground), which can be seen to this day, the "Theseum," the best preserved of all Greek temples, and on to the Agora (Market-Place), just North of the Acropolis, a steep hill, 200 ft. high, in the center of the city. Cimon began and Pericles completed the work of transforming this citadel into a sanctuary for the patron goddess of the city.
The magnificent gateway (Propylaea), of which the Athenians were justly proud, was built by Mnesicles (437-432 B.C.). A monumental bronze statue by Phidias stood on the left, as one emerged on the plateau, and the mighty Parthenon a little further on, to the right. In this temple was the famous gold and ivory statue of Athena. The eastern pediment contained sculptures representing the birth of the goddess (Elgin Marbles, now in the British Museum), the western depicting her contest with Poseidon for supremacy over Attica. This, the most celebrated edifice, architecturally, in all history, was partially destroyed by the Venetians in 1687. Other temples on the Acropolis are the Erechtheum and the "Wingless Victory." In the city the streets were exceedingly narrow and crooked. The wider avenues were called plateiai, whence English "place," Spanish "plaza." The roofs of the houses were flat. In and around the Agora were many porticoes stoai. In the Stoa Poecile ("Painted Portico"), whose walls were covered with historical paintings, Paul met with the successors of Zeno, the Stoics, with whom he disputed daily. In this vicinity also was the Senate Chamber for the Council of Five Hundred, and the Court of the Areopagus, whither Socrates came in 399 B.C. to face his accusers, and where Paul, five centuries later, preached to the Athenians "the unknown God." In this neighborhood also were the Tower of the Winds and the water-clock, which must have attracted Paul's attention, as they attract our attention today.
The apostle disputed in the synagogue with the Jews (Acts 17:17), and a slab found at the foot of Mount Hymettus (a range to the East of the city, 3,000 ft. high), with the inscription haute he pule tou kuriou, dikaioi eiseleusontai en aute (Psalm 118:20), was once thought to indicate the site, but is now believed to date from the 3rd or 4th century. Slabs bearing Jewish inscriptions have been found in the city itself.
The population of Athens was at least a quarter of a million. The oldest inhabitants were Pelasgians. Cecrops, the first traditional king, came from Egypt in 1556 B.C., and by marrying the daughter of Actaeon, obtained the sovereignty. The first king was Erechtheus. Theseus united the twelve communities of Attica and made Athens the capital. After the death of Codrus in 1068 B.C., the governing power was entrusted to an archon who held office for life. In 753 B.C. the term of office was limited to ten years. In 683 B.C. nine archons were chosen for a term of one year. Draco's laws, "written in blood," were made in 620 B.C. Solon was chosen archon in 594 B.C. and gave the state a constitution. The tyrant Pisistratus was in control permanently from 541 to 527 B.C.; his son Hipparchus was assassinated in 514. Clisthenes changed the constitution and introduced the practice of ostracism.
In 490 B.C. the Athenians defeated the Persians at Marathon, and again in 480 B.C. at Salamis. In 476 B.C. Aristides organized the great Athenian Confederacy. After his death Conon became the leader of the conservative party; and when the general Cimon was killed, Pericles became the leader of the people. In 431 B.C. the Peloponnesian War broke out and continued till 404 B.C., when Athens succumbed to Sparta. An oligarchical government was set up with Critias and Theramenes at the head. War broke out again but peace was restored by the pact of Antalcidas (387 B.C.). In the Sacred War (357-355 B.C.) Athens exhausted her strength. When Philip of Macedon began to interfere in Greek affairs, Athens could neither resolve on war measures (to which the oratory of Demosthenes incited her), nor make terms with Philip. Finally, she joined Thebes in making armed resistance, but in spite of her heroic efforts at Chaeronea, she suffered defeat (338 B.C.). Philip was murdered in 336 B.C., and Alexander the Great became master.
After the subjugation of Greece by the Romans, Athens was placed under the supervision of the governor of Macedonia, but was granted local independence in recognition of her great history. As the seat of Greek art and science, Athens played an important role even under Roman sway-she became the university city of the Roman world, and from her radiated spiritual light and intellectual energy to Tarsus, Antioch and Alexandria. Philo, the Jew, declares that the Athenians were Hellenon oxuderkestatoi dianoian ("keenest in intellect") and adds that Athens was to Greece what the pupil is to the eye, or reason to the soul. Although the city had lost her real independence, the people retained their old characteristics: they were still interested in art, literature and philosophy.
Paul may possibly have attended theater of Dionysus (under the Southeast cliff of the Acropolis) and witnessed a play of the Greek poets, such as Euripides or Menander. Many gifts were received from foreign monarchs by Athens. Attalus I of Perg amum endowed the Academy, Eumenes added a splendid Stoa to theater and Antiochus Epiphanes began the Olympeium (15 columns of which are still standing), the massive sub-basement of which had been constructed by Pisistratus. Athens became a favorite residence for foreign writers who cultivated history, geography and literature. Horace, Brutus and Cassius sojourned in the city for some time. Josephus declares that the Athenians were the most god-fearing of the Greeks eusebestatous ton Hellenon. Compare Livy xlv0.27.
LITERATURE.
See Wordsworth, Athens and Attica; Butler, Story of Athens; Ernest Gardner, Ancient Athens; Tucker, Life in Ancient Athens; A. Mommsen, Athenae Christianae; Conybeare and Howson, Life and Epistles of Paul, chapter x; Gregorovius, Stadt Athen im Mittelalter; Leake, Grote, Thirlwall, Curtius, Wachsmuth, Holm, and Pausanias' Attica, recently edited by Carroll (Ginn and Co.), or in the large work of Frazer.
J. E. Harry
Greek
116. Athenai --Athens, capital of Attica in Greece...Athens, capital of Attica in Greece. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration:
Athenai Phonetic Spelling: (ath-ay-nahee) Short Definition:
Athens...697. Areios Pagos -- "the Hill of Ares," Areopagus, a hill in...
Areios Pagos. 696, 697. Areios Pagos. 698 . "the Hill of Ares," Areopagus,
a hill inAthens. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: Areios Pagos...
117. Athenaios -- Athenian
... Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: Athenaios Phonetic Spelling:
(ath-ay-nah'-yos) Short Definition: Athenian Definition: Athenian, belonging to...
4233. praktor -- one who does or accomplishes
... "In ancientAthens a 4233 ()() - hence (as frequently in the papyri), 4233 ()
refers to a court (Lk 12:58, A. Deissmann, , 154)" ()....
4770. Stoikos -- a Stoic
... a Stoic. From stoa; a "Stoic" (as occupying a particular porch inAthens),
ie Adherent of a certin philosophy -- Stoick. see GREEK stoa....
Library
Paul atAthens
... XIII TO END PAUL ATATHENS. 'Then Paul stood In the midst of Mars-hill, and said,
Ye men ofAthens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious.23....
Quadratus, Bishop ofAthens.
... Remains of the Second and Third Centuries. [Translated by the Rev. BP
Pratten.] Quadratus, Bishop ofAthens. [ad126.] Quadratus...
Berea andAthens
... Lesson 23 Berea andAthens.... On arriving atAthens, the apostle sent the Berean brethren
back with a message to Silas and Timothy to join him immediately....
When the City ofAthens was Founded, and what Reason Varro Assigns...
... Book XVIII. Chapter 9."When the City ofAthens Was Founded, and What Reason
Varro Assigns for Its Name.Athens certainly derived...
Paul inAthens.
... LECTURES LECTURE XX. PAUL INATHENS. Chap. xvii.15-34. THE obstacles... and
Timotheus.Athens was the most celebrated city of Greece....
Acts 17:16-17.Athens.
... CHAPTER IX Acts 17:16-17.ATHENS. [9] "Now, while Paul waited for them
atAthens, his spirit was stirred in him, when he saw the...
The Burning ofAthens.
... CHAPTER X. THE BURNING OFATHENS. BC480 The officers return to their
vessels."The Greek fleet retire to Salamis."The Thessalians...
Paul's Great Speech atAthens
... THE NEW TESTAMENT PAUL'S GREAT SPEECH ATATHENS. While... [Illustration: St.
Paul Preaching atAthens. Painted by Raphael]. "Therefore...
The Ministry of Paul in Thessalonica, Berea,Athens, and Corinth.
... THE MINISTRY OF PAUL IN THESSALONICA, BEREA,ATHENS, AND CORINTH.... Paul now proceeded
"to go as it were to the sea," and soon afterwards arrived atAthens....
The Commentaries which Origen Composed in C??sarea in Palestine.
... 2. Being at that time inAthens, [2029] he finished his work on Ezekiel and commenced
his Commentaries on the Song of Songs, [2030] which he carried forward to...
Thesaurus
Athens (5 Occurrences)... It was a sarcastic saying of the Roman satirist that it was "easier to find a god
at
Athens than a man.".
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
ATHENS.
...Areopagus (3 Occurrences)
... It was a rocky height to the west of the Acropolis atAthens, on the south-east
summit of which the council was held which was constituted by Solon, and...
Dionysia
... The Lenea were celebrated on the 12th of Gamelion (January) inAthens, and later
in Ionia in Asia Minor. At this festival also the new wine was tasted....
Chios (1 Occurrence)
... In 412 they sided with the Peloponnesians, in the 19th year of the war which
Athens had been waging against Sparta and her allies....
Corinth (13 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary A Grecian city, on the isthmus which joins the Peloponnesus
to the mainland of Greece. It is about 48 miles west ofAthens....
Stoics (1 Occurrence)
... A sect of Greek philosophers atAthens, so called from the Greek word stoa ie, a
"porch" or "portico," where they have been called "the Pharisees of Greek...
Unknown (15 Occurrences)
... Paul's speech inAthens) the American Standard Revised Version reads: "I found also
an altar with this inscription, To AN UNKNOWN GOD.... SeeATHENS....
Delos
... The island became independent ofAthens in 454.... At the conclusion of peace (84) Delos
came into the possession of the Romans, who later gave it back toAthens....
Epicureans (1 Occurrence)
... Followers of Epicurus (who died atAthens BC 270), or adherents of the Epicurean
philosophy (Acts 17:18).... They appear to have been greatly esteemed atAthens....
Silas (22 Occurrences)
... received a better hearing from the Jews, but the enmity of the Thessalonian Jews
still pursued them, and Paul was conducted for safety toAthens, Silas and...
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