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

The Greek And Roman Agoras In Athens

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.


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