A complete dictionary of the Greek and Roman antiquities explaining the obscure places in classic authors and ancient historians relating to the religion, mythology, history, geography and chronology of the ancient Greeks and Romans, their ... rites and customs, laws, polity, arts and engines of war : also an account of their navigations, arts and sciences and the inventors of them : with the lives and opinions of their philosophers / compiled originally in French ... by Monsieur Danet ; made English, with the addition of very useful mapps.

AREOPAGUS,

a famous Place in the City of Athens, so called from the Temple of Mars, the Greek Word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, signifies a Burrough, and Town, and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, signifies Mars. There the first Grecians passed a favourable Sentence on Mars, who was accused by Neptune for killing his Son Hal∣lirrothius, for violating the Chastity of his Daughter Alcippe.

Varro, as St. Austin tells us, B. 18. Ch. 10. of the City of God, will not allow the Areo∣pagus, i. e. the Village of Mars to be so called, because Mars, whom the Greeks called 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 being accused of Homicide before 12 Gods, who judg'd him in this Village, was there ac∣quitted, though he had but Six Votes for him, according to the common custom of that Place, which was always favourable to the ac∣cused. He rejects therefore this common Opi∣nion, and endeavours to find out another Origi∣nal of this Name, in some old obsolete Histories upon pretence that it is a reproach to the Dei∣ties to attribute to them Quarrels, and Law∣suits: And he maintains that the History of Mars is no less Fabulous than that of the three Goddesses Juno, Minerva and Venus, who conte∣sted before Paris for the Golden Apple the Prize of the most beautiful.

Areopagitae, the Areopagites, the Judges of

Athens, who decided all Causes, as well publick as private in the Areopagiu, with a Sovereign Authority, and whose Decisions were esteem'd impartial. They heard Causes only in the night time, and did not allow the Advocates to use the Ornaments of Rhetorick in defen∣ding their Clients.