ATHENS. 299 
and entire form of the PXYX, or antient place CHAP. 
of Parliament of the Athenians ; as it was .... * 
appropriated by Solon to the assemblies of the 
citizens 3 . This structure is not likely to be 
much affected by the lapse of entire centuries : 
almost the whole of it, even to the pulpiium for 
the orators, which yet remains, is an excavation 
of the rock ; and the several parts of it were 
carved in stone, of one solid mass, with the 
exception only of the semicircular area, the 
farthest part of which from the pulpitum consists 
of masonry 4 . In the perpendicular surface of 
(3) nf|t so called S/a <rt nft/xvufHiti n7s X<Vj. 
(4) That this place was really the Pnyx, is now universally the 
opinion of travellers who have visited Attens. It had been called 
AREOPAGUS, and ODEUM. Chandler was the first by whom it was 
accurately described. The altar and stone pulpit, which he mentions, 
agree with its furniture as upon record. Chandler says the-e have 
been removed ; but the pulpit, if not the altar, certainly remains. 
A more attentive examination of the antiquities of Athens, if it effect 
no change as to the name now given to this place, will very probably 
alter the appellations too hastily bestowed upon some of the others. 
Perhaps the Pnyxmay be considered as better ascertained than almost 
any remaining structure destitute of an inscription whereby it may be 
identified ; and for this, the literary world is mainly indebted to the 
Earl of Aberdeen, who carried on a very extensive examination of the 
spot, sparing no expense during an excavation which be made here, to 
have this point determined. The dona votiva which he discovered are 
very remarkable. (See the Extract from Mr. ffalpole's Journal, 
p. 199 of this y6l.) But the site of the Odeum of Pericles is entirely 
unknown. It must have stood at the termination of the street of 
the Tripods. The situation of the Prytaneum remains also to be 
determined ; 
