Images in this photo gallery are from the Ancient Agora in the city of Athens, capital of Greece and one of the oldest cities in the world.
The Agora from 600 BC onwards was the commercial and social centre of Ancient Athens. It was here that laws were written and displayed, commercial goods bought and sold, intellectual discussions were had, and the democratic spirited was born and nurtured.
Highlights include:
The Hephaisteion, the Temple dedicated to...
more »Images in this photo gallery are from the Ancient Agora in the city of Athens, capital of Greece and one of the oldest cities in the world.
The Agora from 600 BC onwards was the commercial and social centre of Ancient Athens. It was here that laws were written and displayed, commercial goods bought and sold, intellectual discussions were had, and the democratic spirited was born and nurtured.
Highlights include:
The Hephaisteion, the Temple dedicated to Hephaestus and Athena, divinities of metalworkers and artisans. The Temple which crowns the Agoraios Kolonos hill overlooking the Agora was built between 450-415 BC; the build time was protracted as it was competing for workers due to the great period of rebuilding after the Persians wars. The temple, which is the best preserved of antiquity, has a marble Doric peristyle of 36 columns (6 by 13 columns) and is smaller than the majestic Parthenon although it shares the masterful optical refinements of the famous landmark.
The Stoa of Attalos, a beautifully restored colonnaded building in the Agora. Constructed by King Attalos II of Pergamon between years 159 - 138 BC, it is thought to be used as offices and shops and administrative centre. It is a two-storeyed building with Doric columns fronting the ground floor exterior with Ionic columns splitting the interior long pillared hall into two aisles. The upper floor is fronted by Ionic columns. The building was faithfully reconstructed in 1953-56 and is used a museum to house finds form the Agora site.
The Palatial Palace, built in 400 AD over the remains of the Odeion of Agrippa, was a large complex consisting of courtyards, gardens, baths and numerous rooms. The Odeion, built by Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa son in law of Emperor Augustus in 15 BC, was a roofed building, with a two-storeyed portico, a semicircular orchestra and could accommodate 1000 spectators.
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