The New Student's Reference Work/Areopagus

Areop′agus (ā-rē-ŏp′ a-gŭs), the hill of Ares or Mars in ancient Athens, near the Acropolis.  It was the seat of the court called by the same name, which was the most famous court in Greece.  It dates back to the earliest days of Athens, and plays an important part in its history.  At first it was a criminal court, but Solon gave it so much power that it reached everything in the state.  Pericles took away most of its power; but its fame lived on, even as late as the era of the Emperor Theodosius.  Its members were the men who had been archons, or highest officers, in Athens, and they served for life.  Here Paul made his address to the Athenians, as given in Acts.