It is believed that the Pnyx was founded in the 5th century B.C. It passed three construction periods. At first, the Pnyx was a plain, natural area with a retaining wall to the north. Then, a semi-circular retaining wall was built and two staircases were leading to the Bema, where the orators could speak.

Why was the Pnyx built?

Some sources stated that this retaining wall was constructed around 500 BC for the purpose of holding the soil that was brought in to form the level space for the bema. Part of the stepped terrace wall is preserved, as well as a staircase with rock-cut steps leading up to it from the direction of the Agora.

How many people could the Pnyx hold?

Pnyx means 'place where people are closely packed together' as this open-air chamber could hold around 10,000 people—a little more than half of the 18,000 members of the all-male Assembly of Athenians, or Ekklisia.