The Ancient Agora of Athens Uncovering Greece’s Historical Heart
Ancient agoras served not only as marketplaces but were also places for great philosophers to discuss the most pressing issues. Their ideals embodied freedom, equality and social conscience which many still uphold today.
Archaeologists continue to discover ancient Athenian life at the Agora. You can walk to this archaeological site from either Thiseio or Monastiraki metro stations within three to five minutes.
The Stoa of Attalos
Attalos II of Pergamon constructed his Stoa of Attalos as a gift to Karneades during the Hellenistic period as part of his thank you gesture for teaching and mentoring him during that period. It features double colonnades which provided shaded walkways in front of 42 shops that had been leased from the city and employed white Pentelic and blue Hymettian marble along with limestone as wall coverings.
Attalos’ brother Eumenes II had constructed a similar stoa on the south slope of Acropolis near Theatre of Dionysus; it had been destroyed by invading Herulians in 267 AD.
American School of Classical Studies completed reconstruction on this stoa between 1953-56 using authentic blueprints, creating an easy visit below the Acropolis near Monastiraki Square and Plaka. Furthermore, this stoa provides an ideal starting point to explore other areas of ancient agora.
The Bouleuterion
At the center of this senate complex was the Bouleuterion. Five hundred Athenian citizens selected at random were seated for one year to prepare legislation for meetings of the Ekklesia (an assembly of all free citizens with political rights). An entirely new bouleuterion was constructed at the end of 5th century BCE to replace an earlier one.
Pericles undertook extensive rebuilding efforts following the Persian invasion in 480 BCE. His renovation efforts focused on reconstructing Athens to its pre-invasion state; Tholos was rebuilt into a circular building that housed prytaneis, or administrative heads; Bouleuterion became Athens’ Parliament; and finally Temple of Zeus Phatrios was added.
The Agora served as home for law courts, schools and libraries as well as hosting tragedy playwrights such as Aeschylus, Sophocles & Euripides to stage their plays here; in addition to this great public buildings housed public sophists & philosophers like Parmenides of Elea, Zeno of Citium & Anaxagoras lectured regularly within these walls – where people gathered together to discuss politics, religion, philosophy & culture with one another.
The Monopteros
The Monopteros (or “Boule of Five Hundred”) was at the core of Athenian democracy. Comprised of elected citizens, this council deliberated on all matters related to governance while overseeing daily city operations ensuring democracy operated as intended.
Within the walls of an agora were numerous important public buildings and temples, including a Mitroon – a registry, Rhea’s Shrine and what became commonly known as Poikile Stoa.
The agora was severely damaged by Persians between 480 and 479 BCE, but reconstruction work continued up to 5th century BCE. Today, its remains can still be seen within an impressive archaeological park with many of its major structures still standing; allow yourself a couple of hours to fully experience Greece’s historical heart!
The Temple of Haephestus
Located at the northwest corner of Agora, the Temple of Hephaestus (commonly referred to as Thesion due to its friezes depicting Theseus’ adventures) is one of the best-preserved ancient Greek structures. Built to honor Hephaistos – god of metalwork and Athena Ergane – patron goddess of pottery making and housework – and Athena Ergane who symbolized housekeeping, pottery making, housework, etc. – as well as Athena Ergane who represented pottery making and housekeeping respectively.
Athens’ agora became the hub of political and commercial life following Solon’s reform of written laws of Athens and breaking of upper class control by opening it to all citizens c. 594 BCE. Here proposals for new laws would be displayed on wooden tables for public consideration.
Athenians also revered it for hosting some of their greatest tragedians such as Aeschylus, Sophocles and Euripides – great tragedians such as Aeschylus, Sophocles and Euripides staged their plays here, along with philosophers such as Diogenes of Sinope and Crates from Athens teaching and debating here; Paul preached to them there according to Acts.
