Agora

Ρωμαϊκή Αγορά, Πλάκα, Αθήνα.

The Roman Forum of Athens, Greece.

The Roman Forum of Athens, also known as the Roman Agora, is located to the north of the Acropolis and to the east of the original classical Greek Agora.

The Agora was a central spot in ancient Greek city-states. The literal meaning of the word is "Gathering place" or "Assembly". The agora was the center of athletic, artistic, spiritual and political life of the city.

Early in Greek history (10th century–8th century BC), the citizens would gather in the Agora for military duty or to hear statements of the ruling king or council. Later, the Agora also served as a marketplace where merchants kept stalls or shops to sell their goods. The Forum was the Roman equivalent of the Greek Agora.

In the 1st century AD, the Romans moved Athens’ marketplace here from the old Agora. Smaller than the original, the marble-pillared courtyard was a grander place to set up shop, and this became the commercial and administrative center until the 19th century. Its greatest attraction was the unique and brilliantly designed “Tower of the Winds”. During the Byzantine period and the Ottoman occupation the area was covered with houses, workshops, churches and a mosque.

© 2012 Jordan Kevrekidis