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What is Athens?
        ATH'ENS
        the name of several places, but chiefly of the capital of Greece, the metropolis of ancient philosophy and art; named from the goddess Minerva or Athene. For sketch map see Corinth. Erechtheum. Parthenon. Turkish Tower. Modern City. Temple of Theseus. South-western part of Modern City. Athens. (After a sketch.) Situation. -- It was situated about 5 miles north-east of the Saronic Gulf, in the plain of Attica, the south-eastern portion of the Grecian peninsula, between the little rivers Cephissus and Ilissus. The port, Piraeus, is five miles off, and now connected with the city by a railroad. About the plain, on the northwest, the north-east, the south-east, and south-west, were four noted mounts. Within the city were four more noted hills -- the Acropolis, Areopagus or Mars' Hill, the Pnyx, and the Museum. The Acropolis is about 150 feet high, with a flat top about 1100 feet long by 450 feet wide, having a steep ascent on all sides. West of the Acropolis is Mars' Hill, of irregular form, and on which public assemblies and the chief courts were held. Upon this hill Paul preached. Acts 17:19, Josh 11:22. Beneath it are the Caves of the Furies. History. -- Athens was first settled by some chieftain, perhaps Cecrops, b.c. 1556, who is said to have been succeeded by sixteen legendary kings and twelve archons. Draco made laws for it, b.c. 624. Solon, its noted ''lawgiver," founded a democracy, b.c. 594. The city was taken by Xerxes, b.c. 480; but soon after his defeat it reached its highest prosperity, with a population of from 120,000 to 180,000. Under the brilliant rule of Pericles, b.c. 444 to 429, some of the greatest masters in philosophy, poetry, and oratory flourished, and noted buildings and temples, as that of Zeus, the Odeum, the Parthenon, the Propylaea, were projected or completed. His rule was followed by the Spartan, the Theban, and the Macedonian supremacy, the age of Demosthenes, Philip, and Alexander the Great. In b.c. 140, Athens with Achaia became a Roman province, and so continued through apostolic times. Since then it has been subject to the Byzantines, Franks, Venetians, and Turks, as well as at times independent. Under the misrule of the Turks it sunk down to a miserable village, and in 1832 there was scarcely a house standing. But it arose with the new kingdom of Greece, and is now again a beautiful capital, adorned by new streets and buildings, prominent among which are the royal palace, the Greek cathedral, the Russian chapel, the University, the Library, and the Museum. At the time of Paul's visit Athens was a "free city," under the Roman rule. It was given to idolatry, having 30,000 idols. Petronius said, "It was easier to find a god in Athens than to find a man." Paul calls them "very religious," Acts 17:22, not "too superstitious," as our version inaccurately reads. But Athens never took a prominent place in church history.


Bibliography Information
Schaff, Philip, Dr. "Biblical Definition for 'athens' in Schaffs Bible Dictionary".
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