PNYX The Pnyx, is a hill in central Athens, opposite Acropolis, the capital of Greece. Beginning as early as 507 BC, the Athenians gathered on the Pnyx to host their popular assemblies, thus making the hill one of the earliest and most important sites in the creation of democracy. The Pnyx, a small rocky hill surrounded by parkland, with a large flat platform of eroded stone set into its side, and by steps carved on its slope, was the meeting place of one of the world's earliest known democratic legislatures, the Athenian ‘ekklesia” (assembly), and the flat stone platform was the “vima” , the "stepping stone" or speakers' platform. As such, the Pnyx is the material embodiment of the principle of “isēgoría “ ("equal speech"), i.e. the equal right of every citizen to debate matters of policy. The other two principles of democracy were “isonomia”, equality under the law, and “isopoliteía”, equality of vote and equal opportunity to assume political office. The right of isēgoría was expressed by the presiding officer of the Pnyx assembly, who formally opened each debate with the open invitation "Tís agoreúein boúletai?" ("Who wishes to speak?"). Pnyx was then outside the city proper, but close enough to be convenient. It looks down on the ancient Agora, which was the commercial and social centre of the city.

At this site all the great political struggles of Athens of the "Golden Age" were fought out. Pericles, Aristides and Alcibiades spoke here, within sight of the Parthenon and the temple of Athena. Here Demosthenes delivered his vilifications of Philip of Macedon, the famous Philippics.

In the same area, according to the author of Acts Luke, Apostle Paul hosted his first speech in Athens. The missionary work of Paul in Athens cannot be regarded as a success, with only two persons Dionisius Areopagites and Damaris being the meager fruits of this visit. Luke is aware of the problems encountered there and the difficulties surrounding the subject “Gospel – Hellenism”. The Athenians faced Paul with skepticism and with the phrase “we will hear you on this matter” . The preaching about the resurrection of the dead appeared to have been the main stumbling for the Athenian philosophers. In his speech as delivered in Acts, Paul tried to meet the needs of an audience with philosophical education, but ultimately, no Church was established in Athens.

Typical was the report of Paul on the altar of the "unknown god". It seems several were existing at that time in Athens. As creator of the world and everything precious, God does not dwell in temples, no need of the services of people and unsuitable construction of models, says Paul. This thought, says Paul, is consistent with the words of the Stoic poet Aratus. Finally said that God will judge the world through one man who raised him from the dead, allusion which caused derisory reactions in some listeners.

Today, the text of this famous speech is in a bronze plaque beside the carved stairs leading to the Supreme Court.