Areopagus
/ˌɛəriˈɒpəɡəs/noun
A rocky hill in Athens and the ancient judicial council that met there.
Did you know?In the New Testament, Paul famously addressed the Athenian Areopagus, turning a tribunal associated with Ares into a stage for Christian preaching.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*pak- / *pag-
“To fasten, make firm, or establish; the ancient root behind words connected with binding and agreement.”
Ancient Greek
Greek
Ἄρης (Arēs)
“Ares, the god associated with violent warfare and battle.”
Ancient Greek
Greek
πάγος (pagos)
“A rocky hill, hilltop, or elevated mound.”
Classical Athens
Greek
Ἄρειος πάγος (Areios pagos)
“The Hill of Ares, the rocky elevation where Athens’s aristocratic court convened.”
Latin Antiquity
Latin
Areopagus
“The Athenian court or hill, adopted from Greek usage.”
16th Century
English
Areopagus
“A learned or authoritative council, especially one modeled on the ancient Athenian court.”
Modern English
English
Areopagus
“The historic Athenian hill and court; figuratively, an influential assembly or tribunal.”