Was Paul’s missionary work in Athens unsuccessful? 

There are two indicators that it was actually fruitful.  First, what Luke does say happened.  Second, what Luke doesn’t say happened. 

1.  Luke mentions two converts by name. (Acts 17:34) In Paphos, Philippi, Thessalonica and Corinth he only mentions one.  There are other cities Paul visited where Luke doesn’t speak of any specific converts. 

2.  Athens was one of the only places on this particular missionary journey where Paul was not chased out of the city.