Let's stroll Filopapos Hill! (Hill of the Muses in ancient times) and go to Pnyx Hill, where we can see Athens' ancient democracy at work.

You can see Pireaus and the Aegean Sea in the distance. That's where we take off in the Ferry Boats for the islands!!

We are looking at Filopapos hill from the Acropolis. See the buildings down below? One of those is the Acropolis View Hotel, where we like to stay.

The Acropolis View Hotel backs right up to Filopapos hill. It is a wonderful escape from the smog of Athens. All of a sudden you are out of the traffic and listening to the birdies sing and watching the families play, especially if it is a Sunday, which it is today.

Let's take a picture of some nasty little boys.

A reminder of why we're not having children!

A lovely cafe in the middle of the park.

Let's hike to the top of the hill where there is a great view of the Acropolis! We can't resist taking some pictures....

Always a great spot for some photos.

O.K. Let's go to the truly important spot, historically speaking. Let's stroll over to Pnyx Hill.

This is where the Athenian Assembly sat. This was the law-making body of the Athenian Democracy. Rich or poor, you, as a citizen, were expected to sit here and participate. Hey, if the people are the government, the people had better be working to stay up on the issues and vote INFORMED, so that STATESMEN like Pericles can actually be statesmen and not demagogues. You've got to have an informed populace to be able to be a Statesman. Speaking of Pericles, I think we are about to be privileged to hear one of his speeches!

There he is!

Note the members of the Assembly listening with rapt attention and I do believe also TAKING CAREFUL NOTES!! I bet they will copy them down shortly after class, er...after the Assembly meeting, so that they will have good notes to review before the exam, er...before they vote on a piece of legislation.

This would be your view as a member of the Assembly: always with the Acropolis above you, as you can see here, and the Agora down below.

If you came here during your stroll on the Acropolis, and want to continue the stroll, moving into the Late Classical Age, click here.

If you had already moved into the Late Classical Age and then the Agora, click here and let's stroll modern Athens. Let's talk about the people!