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# Freezing Athenian democracy
- URL: https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/freezing-athenian-democracy/
- Published: 2008-02-26T22:02:01.000Z
- Updated: 2019-02-14T22:39:34.000Z
- Author: openDemocracy Supporters
- Tags: #en, #Migrated, #Import 2026-04-09 18:41

**Anthony Barnett (London,** [**OK**](http://ourkingdom.opendemocracy.net/?ref=opendemocracy.net)**):** Last weekend I wrote that I was snowed in in Athens and in case you didn't believe me, here I am standing on the rocky platform of the [Pnyx](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pnyx?ref=opendemocracy.net) from where, I'm told, [Demosthenes](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demosthenes?ref=opendemocracy.net) addressed his fellow (free & male) Athenians in the cockpit of democracy.

There is a sweeping, spectacular view, on the right the Acropolis in front of Mount [Hymettos](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hymettus?ref=opendemocracy.net):

To the centre, looking across the main assembly area down to the Agora or market place, you can just see the reconstructed [Stoa](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stoa?ref=opendemocracy.net):

[](http://ourkingdom.files.wordpress.com/2008/02/p1010494.jpg?ref=opendemocracy.net)

And to your left you can see Parnitha

I'm told that [Pericles](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pericles?ref=opendemocracy.net) addresses the assembly from below, facing upwards rather than from above, in which case he did not have such a good view but he'd have been easier to hear.

Hat tip to Costas and Lydia Carras

and special blessing to Marina and Martin