Woman Commits Suicide from Areopagus Hill Next to Acropolis

Tragically, shortly before one o’clock on Tuesday afternoon, a Greek woman—initially thought to be a tourist—committed suicide next to the Acropolis.

According to reports, the 47-year-old Greek woman made the sign of the cross and jumped off the rocks of Areopagus Hill, located by the Acropolis.

The woman suffered a serious head injury after falling into the void from a height of fifteen to twenty meters. An attempt was made to revive her. However, she was retrieved unconscious by the Fire Department and delivered to an EKAV ambulance, which transported her to Evangelismos General Hospital.

Χωρίς αισθήσεις ανασύρθηκε μία γυναίκα από δύσβατο σημείο, στο λόφο Αρείου Πάγου #Ακρόπολη και παρελήφθη από #ασθενοφόρο του Ε.Κ.Α.Β. Επιχείρησαν 3 #πυροσβέστες με 1 όχημα, ως συνδρομή στο Ε.Κ.Α.Β.

— Πυροσβεστικό Σώμα (@pyrosvestiki) October 4, 2022

Fall from Areopagus Hill Right Next to Acropolis proves to be suicide

In speaking to local media, police sources reported that the woman consciously took a step forward and fell off the cliff. By the time police arrived at the scene, her cell phone was ringing. As it turned out, it was her husband.

According to information that has not yet been officially confirmed, a few seconds before jumping off Areopagus Hill, she had called her husband from her cell phone.

Initially, this was believed to be an accident. It was thought that the woman had fatally slipped off the rocks while trying to take a photo, as Areopagus Hill is a popular hangout and photo-op spot for tourists and locals alike.

However, it was determined through further investigation that it was a suicide. Furthermore, the woman proved to be Greek rather than a foreign tourist as was initially reported.

According to the same source, the woman was struggling with multiple mental health issues. She had allegedly contacted her husband and informed him of her intentions shortly before falling into the void.

The Areopagus Hill

The Areopagus is a prominent rock outcropping located next to the Acropolis in Athens, Greece. Its English name is the Late Latin composite form of the Greek name Areios Pagos, translated “Hill of Ares” or “Ares Rock” (Ancient Greek: Ἄρειoς Πάγος).

The word Areopagus also refers to the Athenian governing council because in classical times they conveyed in this location. Later, the name was restricted to the Athens judicial council or court, which presided over cases including purposeful homicide, injury, and religious concerns.

According to Greek mythology the war god Ares (Roman Mars) had been tried by the other gods on the Areopagus for the murder of Poseidon’s son Halirrhothius. In the ancient Greek drama Eumenides of Aeschylus (458 BC), Areopagus is the site of the trial of Orestes for killing his mother (Clytemnestra) and her lover (Aegisthus).

Upon visiting Athens, Saint Paul the Apostle delivered his sermon on top of the Areopagus Hill. This sermon is considered the most dramatic and most fully-reported speech of the missionary career of Saint Paul.

If you or someone you know is considering suicide, inform your local authorities, here is a helpful global suicide prevention database.