Atenas
Founded around 3000 BC
Carousel of images for this Bible Exhibit
The Acropolis
This painting depicts what Athens might have looked like at the time of the New Testament, with the rocky hill known as the Acropolis rising in radiant light, its ancient temples towering over a city filled with idols and philosophers who sought truth yet missed the living God. Here, the Apostle Paul stood and proclaimed the resurrection of Jesus to a people groping in the dark, calling them to turn from ignorance to the one true Creator, Acts 17:22-31.
The Areopagus or Hill of Ares
The Areopagus is a prominent rocky hill situated just northwest of the Acropolis in Athens. It was both a physical location and the name of the high council that met there in ancient times. From this very place, the Apostle Paul boldly proclaimed the resurrection of Jesus to the philosophers of Athens, confronting their idol worship with the truth of the one true God who calls all people to repent.
The Parthenon
The Acropolis, meaning “high city,” is a towering rocky hill in the heart of Athens that served as the religious and cultural center of ancient Greek life. Dominating its summit is the Parthenon, a grand marble temple built to honor the goddess, Athena. In full view of these symbols of human worship, the Apostle Paul proclaimed the one true God who made the world and does not dwell in temples built by human hands, calling all people to repent and believe in the risen Christ.
The Acropolis and Philopappos Hill from Mount Lycabettus
From the heights of Mount Lycabettus, the Acropolis, with Philopappos Hill in the background, rises as a symbol of ancient Athens’ devotion to intellect, honor, and human achievement. Once known as the Hill of the Muses and later crowned with a Roman monument, Philopappos Hill reflects the city's celebration of wisdom and legacy—yet in the shadow of such grandeur, the Apostle Paul proclaimed that true glory belongs not to man, but to the risen Christ who calls all people everywhere to repent.
The Theater of Dionysus from the Acropolis
Nestled on the southern slope of the Acropolis, the Theater of Dionysus once echoed with plays that honored the god of wine and revelry, shaping the drama and philosophy of ancient Athens. Yet from above, where temples and idols stood in pride, the gospel would one day confront this culture with the truth that true joy, meaning, and salvation are found not in myth or performance, but in the risen Christ who calls all to repent and believe.
The Odeon Theater of Herodes Atticus
Built beneath the Acropolis in the second century AD, the Odeon of Herodes Atticus was a grand theater for music and speech, reflecting Athens’ enduring love for art, rhetoric, and public honor. Yet not far from this stage, the Apostle Paul declared that true wisdom and glory are found not in human performance, but in the risen Christ who calls all people to repentance and faith.
The Acropolis from the South Slope
Seen from the south slope, the Acropolis rises with its commanding temples, once devoted to gods fashioned by human hands. Yet in the shadow of these idols, the Apostle Paul proclaimed that the true God is not served by human effort, but has revealed Himself through the risen Christ, calling all people to turn from idols to the living Creator.
The Parthenon
The Parthenon, a towering marble temple dedicated to the goddess Athena, crowned the Acropolis as the centerpiece of ancient Athenian religion, power, and identity. Built in the 5th century BC, it reflected the city's devotion to wisdom, beauty, and human greatness—yet beneath its splendor, the people of Athens remained lost in idolatry and empty philosophies.
The Hephaisteion in the Ancient Agora
The Hephaisteion, a remarkably preserved temple dedicated to Hephaestus, stands in the heart of the Ancient Agora—the bustling public square of ancient Athens where citizens gathered for trade, politics, worship, and philosophical debate. This sacred space, surrounded by idols and altars, reflects a culture devoted to human craftsmanship and wisdom, yet one still in need of the truth of the living God who alone gives life and salvation.
Church of the Holy Apostles and the Stoa of Attalus
In the foreground stands the Church of the Holy Apostles—one of the earliest Christian churches in Athens—while behind it rises the restored Stoa of Attalus, once a bustling center of trade and philosophy. Set within the Ancient Agora, where idols and human wisdom once reigned, this scene reflects the triumph of the gospel over pagan thought, as the risen Christ calls all people to turn from false gods to the living God.
The Odeon of Agrippa
The Odeon of Agrippa, once a grand concert hall at the center of the Ancient Agora, symbolized the Roman embrace of Greek culture through music, rhetoric, and public display. Yet in this very setting where human achievement was celebrated, the gospel confronted worldly glory with the truth that salvation does not come through art or empire, but through the risen Christ who calls all to repentance.
The Temple of Zeus
The Temple of Zeus, once among the largest in the ancient world, stood as a towering tribute to the king of the Greek gods, embodying the power and pride of pagan worship. Yet even such monuments could not satisfy the soul, for the true God, unknown to many in Athens, revealed Himself not in stone temples, but in the risen Christ who calls all people to repent and worship Him alone.
The Library of Hadrian at Dawn
Bathed in the soft light of dawn, the Library of Hadrian stands as a monument to human knowledge and imperial grandeur, built by a Roman emperor who sought to leave a legacy of learning. Yet in the shadow of such wisdom, the gospel reveals that true understanding begins with the fear of the Lord, and that eternal truth is found not in scrolls or stone, but in the risen Christ who calls all to repent and believe.
Gate of the Roman Agora
The monumental gate of the Roman Agora opens into what was once a bustling marketplace and civic center, where Athenians gathered for trade, conversation, and cultural life under Roman authority. Yet amid the pursuit of commerce and power, the gospel broke in with a greater truth—that the true God does not dwell in temples or markets made by human hands, but calls all people to repent and find life in the risen Christ.
Byzantine Church of the Holy Apostles
Built in the late 10th century AD, the Byzantine Church of the Holy Apostles stands within the Ancient Agora—the public square of classical Athens where citizens once gathered for commerce, politics, and philosophical debate. In a place once dominated by idols and worldly wisdom, this church testifies to the lasting triumph of the gospel: that salvation is not found in temples, markets, or ideas, but in the risen Christ who calls all people to repent and believe.
Theatre of Herodes Atticus beneath the Acropolis
Set on the southern slope of the Acropolis—the high city of ancient Athens, crowned with temples to pagan gods—the Theatre of Herodes Atticus hosted grand performances celebrating human achievement. Yet in this very setting, where art and idolatry flourished, the gospel proclaimed that true glory belongs not to man, but to the risen Christ who calls all people to turn from idols and worship the living God.
The Erechtheion at the Acropolis
The Erechtheion, with its iconic Porch of the Caryatids, stands on the sacred ground of the Acropolis where ancient Athenians worshiped multiple gods in one temple complex. This blending of deities reflects the spiritual confusion Paul addressed nearby, declaring that the true God is not one among many, but the sole Creator who now calls all people to repent and believe in the risen Christ.
Close-Up of the Parthenon
This detailed view of the Parthenon reveals the intricate craftsmanship of the massive temple, built to honor Athena, and reflects the artistic brilliance and religious devotion of ancient Athens. Yet despite its grandeur, it stood in a city filled with idols and spiritual blindness, where the Apostle Paul proclaimed that the true God does not dwell in temples made by human hands, but now calls all people to repent and believe in the risen Christ.
Zeus’ Temple and Hadrian’s Gate from the Acropolis
Seen from the Acropolis, the towering columns of the Temple of Olympian Zeus—once the largest temple in Greece—stand alongside Hadrian’s Gate, a monumental arch that honors the Roman emperor who sought to remake Athens in his own image. These grand structures reflected the city’s devotion to both mythological gods and imperial power, yet in their shadow, the gospel declared a greater truth: that no earthly ruler and no man-made god can compare to the one true Creator, who now calls all people to repent and believe in the risen Christ.
The Odeon of Herodes Atticus
Built in the second century AD at the foot of the Acropolis, the Odeon of Herodes Atticus was a grand theater for music and cultural display, showcasing the artistic pride of Athens under Roman rule. Yet in a city that celebrated human achievement, the gospel proclaimed that true glory belongs not to performance or power, but to the risen Christ who calls all people to turn from idols and worship the living God.
Atenas fue una de las ciudades más importantes del mundo antiguo y fue conocida por su influencia en la filosofía, el arte y la política. Situada en la región del Ática, se convirtió en una poderosa ciudad-estado que dio forma a la cultura griega. En el siglo V a. C., durante su «Edad de Oro», Atenas fue el centro del saber, hogar de filósofos como Sócrates, Platón y Aristóteles. La ciudad contaba con magníficas estructuras, como la Acrópolis, el Partenón y el Areópago, donde se celebraban debates jurídicos y filosóficos. Aunque su poder declinó tras las guerras con Esparta y la posterior dominación de Roma, Atenas siguió siendo un respetado centro de educación y cultura, y se la conoce como la cuna de la civilización occidental.
El apóstol Pablo visitó Atenas en su segundo viaje misionero, como se registra en [BIBLE, Hechos 17:15-34]. Llegó después de enfrentarse a la persecución en Berea y se encontró en esta ciudad llena de ídolos. Los atenienses eran muy religiosos, con templos y altares dedicados a muchos dioses, incluido uno a «un dios desconocido». Esto perturbó profundamente a Pablo, por lo que aprovechó la oportunidad para proclamar al único Dios verdadero en la sinagoga y en el mercado.
Mientras Pablo hablaba de Jesús y de la resurrección, atrajo la atención de los filósofos epicúreos y estoicos. Estos grupos tenían puntos de vista diferentes: los epicúreos buscaban el placer y evitaban el dolor, creyendo que los dioses estaban distantes, mientras que los estoicos enfatizaban la autodisciplina y la razón, creyendo que lo divino estaba presente en todo. Algunos llamaban a Pablo «charlatán», pero otros sintieron curiosidad y lo llevaron al Areópago, donde fue invitado a explicar sus enseñanzas.
De pie ante la élite intelectual de Atenas, Pablo pronunció un poderoso sermón. Reconoció su devoción religiosa, pero señaló su altar al «dios desconocido» como señal de que estaban buscando la verdad. Declaró que este Dios desconocido era el único y verdadero Creador de todas las cosas, que no vivía en templos hechos por manos humanas [BIBLE, Hechos 17:24-25]. Pablo explicó que Dios se había revelado a través de Jesucristo y había llamado a todos al arrepentimiento, advirtiendo de un juicio venidero a través de Cristo resucitado [BIBLE, Hechos 17:30-31]. Algunos se burlaron de Pablo cuando habló de la resurrección, mientras que otros se sintieron intrigados y quisieron saber más. Unos pocos creyeron, entre ellos Dionisio, miembro del Areópago, y una mujer llamada Dámaris [BIBLE, Hechos 17:34]. Sin embargo, a diferencia de ciudades como Corinto y Éfeso, Pablo no estableció una comunidad cristiana importante en Atenas.
Atenas nos recuerda la sabiduría humana y sus limitaciones. La ciudad representaba la cúspide del logro intelectual, pero muchos de sus habitantes luchaban por aceptar la verdad del Evangelio. La visita de Pablo a Atenas pone de relieve la importancia de comprometerse con la cultura sin dejar de ser fiel a la Palabra de Dios. Su mensaje llama a todas las personas a buscar al único Dios verdadero, que se ha dado a conocer a través de Jesucristo.
