Durango semi-weekly herald., 1902-05-12
FAME OF MARS HILL.
Grecian Landmark the Scene of Many
Trials That Figure in History.

Wnlch Paul delivered the eloquent adj
dress of which we have an account
in chapter II OF the Acts of the Apos-
ties. beginning. 'Ye men of Athens. |
perceive that in all things ye are
somewhat religious. not too super.
stitious." as the old version has it
stands across little gully from the
Acropolis. 1t was then occupied by
Aeropagus. and the learned men, the
lawyers. philosophers. teachers and
orators of the city met there every
dav to exchange ideas and talk poll
tics. and the ancient court of the
Aeropagus. composed of the most ven
cradle and eminent Athenians. and ex-
erclsiug supreme jurisdiction in all
cases involving life or large sums of
money. sat there regularly TO hear
arguments and announce their deci-
sions. The hill is said to have de
rived its name from the fact that Ares
or Mars. was the first person tried
there for murder II was there also
that Orestes was arraigned and ac-
quilted of criminal responsibility for
the murder of his mother Clvtremnes-
ira. MANY other famous trials took
place upon the hill Demosthenes
must have appeared before the Aero
pagus frequently. for he was the lead
or of the Athenian bar. Socrates
r"ust have been tried and condemned
there.
Socrates was born in Athens in the
year 469 b. c. He was originally a
sculptor, but abandoned the art and
became an astrologer. He Interpreted
dreams, signs and omens for the peo-
pie. and the utterances of the oracles
which were consulted on matters of
important business by those who We're
able to pay the charges. He after
wrads became teacher and sat in
the market place surrounded by his
students and disciples, each of whom
paid him a fee for the instruction re-
ceived, and ii was to them that he
delivered the opinions which brought
him into collision with authorities,
and particularly priests. The trial of
Socrates was similar to that of Christ.
Both were accused of sedition, of de-
nying the gods and the prophets, of
introducing new religions, of corrupt
ing lut HlluuS VI lut youlh anu Sulo-
turbing the tranquility of the people.
Socrates was arraigned for this crime
before the Aeropagus as Christ was
before the Sanhedrin, and both admit
ted the truth of the charge. while they
denied the criminality. The answer
of Socrates to his accusers was almost
the same as that of Jesus before Pi-
late 400 years later. He was convict
ed, however, and sentenced to death.
The law gave him thirty days to set
tie his affairs, which he occupied in
writing his essay on "The Immortali
ty of the Soul" and being man of
eminent learning and distinction, he
was permitted to commit suicide-to
carry out the sentence OF the court
upon his own person. This was con-
sidered an act of mercy as well as
tribute of honor. The same custom
prevails in China today. When
man of high station is sentenced to
death there the authorities send him
silver cord with which he is expected
to strangle himself. That relieves
them from embarrassment and pro-
tects him from the shame of public
execution. | suppose this favor was
extended to Socrates for the same
reason. He was sent a cup of hem
lock juice instead of silver cord.
Near the Aeropagus are two cham
bers about sixteen feet square hewn
in the side of rocky cliff. They are
divided by partition with narrow
door and are protected by gratings of
iron bars like the cage of wild
beast The guide books call them
the prison of Socrates, and it is gen
orally understood among the people
that he was imprisoned and died
there. but there is no evidence to
sustain that supposition. 1t is more
probable that Socrates was not con
fined at all; that after his sentence
he was allowed to go about the city to
look after his business under the sur
veilance of the police, and it is GER
tain that the judicial officers would
not have Gagged man of his eminence
in public place like a lion or tiger.
Demosthenes committed suicide at
a villa over on the other side of Mount
Hymettus. which is as famous for it's
honey today as it was 1000 years ago.
The wild flowers that grow upon this
of saccharine and give flavor to the
mountain contain an unusual amount
honey which is not found in that made
anywhere else. The ancient Greeks
considered it great luxury, and it
is sold today in all the markets of
Europe for high prices. The quality
sustains its ancient reputation. Tour
lists buy it at the hotels and curiosity
shops.
Demosthenes was the son of a rich
furniture dealer, a statesman, lawyer,
orator and patriot. He lived nearly
century after Socrates, and in the
year 322 before Christ was accused of
political conspiracy and fled from
Athens to the villa of friend
in the country. There he was
followed by an officer of the police
with a warrant for his arrest. Dem
osthenes was prepared for him.
Rather than suffer the humiliation of
trial and Imprisonment. he had al
ready decided to take his own life
Suspecting such an intention, the an-
thorities ordered the police officials to
ini n