Database: The Pnyx, the cradle of democracy

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Situated on a hill west of the Acropolis, the Pnyx was the main site of Athenian democracy. The word "Pnyx" has been linked in popular etymology to the meaning "parked together," clearly an allusion to the fact that at the time of the assembly the crowd was so dense that everyone was close to each other. Originally built during the 5th century BCE, it was remodeled in 403 BCE under the Thirty Tyrants. The Pnyx housed the assembly of the citizens of Athens which was called to order and presided over by the Prytaneis. At the beginning of each session, a sacrifice was offered to Zeus Agoraios, the patron of the assembly. A quorum of 6,000 citizens was necessary to adopt decrees, such as declaring war or voting expenses towards grain importation, or even the election of certain magistrates. Sessions lasted couple of hours each. Speeches were made by the citizens on the platform and votes were done by a show of hands. Orators were held responsible for what they said in public.