Pnyx Hill in Athens Greece

"The birthplace of democracy"

Athens 117 41, Greece

Pynx Hill Map

Pnyx Hill is an important historical site in Athens, Greece, located to the west of the Acropolis.

Because it was the primary meeting place for the Athenian citizens during the Classical era (5th and 4th centuries BC) to hold assembly meetings, known as Ekklesia Εκκλησία, Pnyx hill is famous as the "birthplace of democracy."

The Ekklesia became a significant institution in the Athenian democracy, where decision-making processes were opened up to male citizens, such as enacting laws, deciding on military actions, and electing officials. It is estimated that up to 6,000 citizens could gather at Pnyx Hill to attend the assembly meetings, which took place around 40 times per year.

The history of Pnyx hill site is divided into four distinct phases:

First Phase The evidence of a simple religious function for Pnyx is derived from the remains of an altar.
Second Phase (early 5th century BC): A simple, open space with a natural bedrock platform was used as a speaker's position to address the assembly, called the "bema" βῆμα.
Third Phase (late 5th century BC): The bema was carved on and made larger, and a semi-circular terrace was added to accommodate more people.
Fourth Phase (early 4th century BC): The assembly area was expanded even further, with a retaining wall built to create additional space and a new, larger speaker's platform.

Pnyx Hill is a popular tourist destination in Athens that has panoramic views of the Acropolis, the Temple of Hephaestus, and the city of Athens.

To the Southwest is Filopappas Hill.

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