The Pnyx, Democracy & "The Brick in the Wall" Page 1

Entrance is free, but the site is fenced and in only accessible from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., and from 12 to 7 p.m. on Mondays (summer schedule). No facilities. Upper and lower egress. See map

The Pnyx
(Pnee-ka: 'brick' in ancient Greek) is the name of the place where the 6,000 or so eligible Athenian male citizens met to discuss and vote on ancient Athens' civic affairs.

This drawing above right has it approximately correct in relation to the Acropolis but may actually depict the Agora or the Areos Pagos instead - you get the general idea however.

Ancient Athens needed a place like the Pnyx because with an estimated population of maybe 30 to 40,000, classical Athens had its own voting peculiarities and was run akin to a corporation in the sense tha every male in Athens was not automatically eligible to vote! Most men, all women and all slaves were not allowed to vote!

More Pnyx Page: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8