The Classical Agora of Athens 479-323 BC
During the Classical Times, Agora was the centre of the social and political life of Athens. Public buildings, sanctuaries and fountain houses were constructed. The area between these buildings, used for feasts and athletic games, was filled with statues and altars.
The Agora during the 5th century BC: 1. Basileios Stoa, 2.Stoa of Zeus Eleutherios, 3. Temple of Hephaestus, 4. New Bouleuterion, 5. Old Bouleuterion, 6. Tholos, 7. Eponymous Heroes monument, 8. Aiakeion, 9. South Stoa I, 10. Southeast fountain house, 11. The Mint, 12. Courts, 13. Stoa Poikile.
The Agora during the 5th century BC.
Immediately after the Persian Wars, the Athenians started to rebuilt their city and the Agora. They focused their attention to the construction of several public buildings. Three stoas were built: Basileios, Zeus Eleutherios and Poikile. The last one later became the base of the stoic philosophers. A new Bouleuterion was built near the older one and a round building, the Tholos, that was used as a dinning room for the elected Deputies. On the southern side, between the Aiakeion and the archaic fountain house, a very long stoa, the so-called “South Stoa I” was erected in order to serve as a market. A little further to the east was the mint of Athens and the Eleusinion (the sanctuary of goddess Demeter and her daughter Persephone). The northeast side was dominated by the grounds of an open-air courthouse. In the west was the Temple of Hephaestus (Hephaesteion), the now knwon as Theseion.
From right to left: Stoa Basileios (479 BC). Perhaps the older stoa in Athens. In there were kept the engraved lows of the state. Next, the Stoa of Zeus Eleutherios (430 BC). The name was derived from the archaic temple of Zeus that was destroyed by the Persians and was located on the same spot. In front was the altar of Zeus.
The southwest side. On the left was the round Tholos, the dinning room of the state deputies. Near the Tholos were the two Bouleuteria. The newer was built around 425 BC. Inside the older one were kept the archives of the state. On the hill is the temple of Hephaestus.
The west side of the Agora. On the right is the Stoa of Zeus Eleutherios. On top of the hill is situated the temple of Hephaestus while on the left are the two Bouleuteria.
The temple of Hephaestus or "Hephaisteion" (449-444 BC), was a temple dedicated to Hephaestus and Athena. During the modern times is commonly known as Theseion (Theseum) due to the tasks of Theseus depicted on the frieze.
Right below the Temple of Hephaestos, lines of steps were carved in the rock which were suited for people gatherings. This area, which was called “Synedrion”, was probably used as an open air court or served other public gatherings.
The monument of the Eponymous Heroes used to hold the statues of the ten heroes who gave the names to the ten tribes of Athens. Under each statue, on the base, were engraved the names of each tribe’s most important citizens.
In the northern part of the Agora, besides the Eschara and the Altar of the 12 Gods, there was also the so-called Perischoinisma, a place that when needed was bound with rope, tied to wooden piles, forming a square space.
The Poikile Stoa (475-470 BC) was the most famous stoa of Athens for two reasons. Firstly, it was decorated with paintings created by the most important painters and secondly, it was the place where the philosopher Zeno of Citium used to teach around 300 BC, thus founding the stoic philosophy. The stoa was also known as “Peisianakteios”.
In the eastern part of the Agora there were some buildings which according to their plan and the findings, should have functioned as courts.
The south part of the Agora. On the right, the grounds of the Aiakeion and next to it the South Stoa I.
The South Stoa I (430 BC). Inside were 16 big rooms that were used as shops or dinning rooms.
The Mint was the very place where the copper coins of Athens were minted.
The southeast fountain house was the earliest and most important structure that brought fresh water to the Agora.
The Eleusinion was the sanctuary of the godess Demetra and her daughter Persephone. In the middle of the sanctuary stood the ionic temple of Triptolemos.
