The Areopagus is the oldest aristocratic council of ancient Athens, located on a prominent rocky outcrop northwest of the Acropolis in Athens. It was a royal court dating back to the classical period, in addition to being the site of one of the most famous letters of Saint Paul (Paul the Apostle) in 51 AD, and the court also considered cases of premeditated murder, wounds and religious matters, in addition to cases involving the burning of olive trees.