The
Areopagus is the composite form of the Greek name
Areios Pagos, translated "
Ares Rock" . It is north-west of the
Acropolis in
Athens. In classical times, it functioned as the high
Court of Appeal for criminal and civil cases. Ares was supposed to have been tried here by the
gods for the murder of
Poseidon's son Alirrothios (a typical example of an
aetiological myth).