All  

Ancient Origins Tour IRAQ

Ancient Origins Tour IRAQ Mobile

Temple of Winds in the ancient Agora, in Plaka district in Athens (vaios karalaios/ Adobe Stock)

The Greek And Roman Agoras In Athens

Print

The word ‘Agora’ in ancient Greek means ‘market’ but the agora in a city-state or polis was much more than just a commercial hub, it was also the socio-political center, the verus locus social media platform where politicians and city-fathers gathered to discuss affairs of the state, philosophers preached their knowledge and metics or resident foreigners, freedmen and slaves mingled with the citizens to generally exchange gossip. As the gods were very much part of day-to-day ancient Greek living, temples were conveniently accessible in the agora if one did not have the energy to ascend the Rock of Acropolis, looming over the Athenian Agora. The agora was transversed by the Sacred Way, that ran from the Acropolis in the north to the main city gate, the Dipylon. It was part of the sacred Panathenaic Way, the route for the procession of the festival of Athena, held every four years. Around the ancient Agora, the district of the Plaka of Athens developed over centuries, capturing the hustle and bustle of trade, bargaining and flea markets.

Plan of the Agora of Athens circa fifth century BC. (Public Domain)

Plan of the Agora of Athens circa fifth century BC. (Public Domain)

The Layout of the Agora (circa fifth century)

1) The Stoa of Attalos and under its north end lay the foundations of the demolished Square Peristyle, which was probably used as a courthouse; 2) the Mint, used for Athens's bronze coinage, destroyed in the first century; 3) the Fountain House, 4) the South Stoa I; 5) the Aiakeion, dedicated to the Aeginan hero Aiakos; 6) The Strategeion, dedicated to the hero Strategos, used as the assembly hall of Athens' ten generals  or strategoi; 7) Stone benches of Agora Hill or Kolonos Agoraios;  8) the Tholos, also known as the Prytanikon or Prytaneion; 9) the Boundary stone, marking one entrance to the agora; 10) the Monument of the Eponymous Heroes, the namesakes of the Athenian democracy's ten tribes, chosen by the Pythia of Delphi; 11) the Metroon or the Old Bouleuterion, dedicated to Cybele in propitiation after the Plague of Pericles was attributed to the murder of one of her missionary priests; 12) New Bouleuterion.

13) Hephaistion, the Temple of Hephaestus and Athena Ergane; 14) the Temple of Apollo Patroos; 15) the Stoa of Zeus Eleutherios; 16) Altar of the Twelve Gods, sanctuary; 17) the Stoa Basileios, seat of the archon basileus; 18) the Temple of Aphrodite Urania; 19) The Stoa Poikile, depicting Athenian victories in paintings and captured arms; 20) A former mistaken location of the Painted Stoa assumed to be the Stoa of the Herms.

READ MORE… 

Like this Preview and want to read on? You can! JOIN US THERE with easy, instant access ) and see what you’re missing!! All Premium articles are available in full, with immediate access.

For the price of a cup of coffee, you get this and all the other great benefits at Ancient Origins Premium. And - each time you support AO Premium, you support independent thought and writing.

Dr Micki Pistorius has an Honours Degree in Biblical Archaeology

Top Image: Temple of Winds in the ancient Agora, in Plaka district in Athens (vaios karalaios/ Adobe Stock)

By: Micki Pistorius

 

Comments

The Stoa of Attalos (No1 in the plan) is today a long building with a due north-south orientation. The octagonal tower in the first picture is popularly known as “Aerides” (Winds) or formally “Orologio of Andronikos Kirristos”, a building of the 1st ce BCE housing a hydraulic clock (missing) and around the outside top depicting the sculptures of the winds (from 8 different directions) as winged persons. 

micki pistorius's picture

Dr Micki

Micki Pistorius is a South African psychologist, author and journalist. As a child, Micki’s natural curiosity was cultivated by both her parents and developed into an insatiable interest in history, art and literature. Her passion for history, archaeology and human... Read More

Next article