Pnyx Hill

This hill, near Filopappos, has a privileged location and history. It is now used as an outdoor theater for plays and live music. Not a great end to what once was the home and center of democracy in the IV and V centuries BC. This place was where the Ekklesia (the popular assembly) took place to discuss and vote on decisions and important state issues, until it lost its strength during the Roman reign. Athenians gathered here to hear speeches and make major decisions. Themistokles, Perikles and Demosthenes spoke from the bema (speaker's platform) that is still visible today (in fact it is one of the best preserved parts).