Ancient Agora of Athens

As mentioned previously the Tower of the Winds is actually located just between the Plaka District and the Ancient Agora of Athens (a site similar to the Roman Forum in Rome). The Agora is located just north of the Acropolis.

The democratically governed Agora was the political and religious heart of Athens as far back as the 6th century BC. It was also the center of daily and commercial life…similar to what town squares used to be in the United States.

It was here that law courts were located and anyone who happened to be in the Agora during a trial could witness these proceedings. It was however only adult male citizens appointed by lot who could serve as jurors.

The state prison was located here as well as the mint which produced the city’s coins inscribed with an owl, the symbol of Athena, goddess of wisdom and the patron goddess of Athens.

The American School of Archeology has been excavating the Agora since 1930 and the finds are exhibited in the two-story stoa of Attalos which now serves as a museum. This main building in the Agora was built by King Attalos of Pergamon (ruled 159-138 BC) but was destroyed in 267 AD.

It was rebuilt between 1953-56 on the original foundations using ancient building materials. A unique exhibit in the museum is a klepsydra, a water clock that was used for timing plaintiff’s speeches. Other items include bronze ballots and everyday items such as terracotta toys and leather sandals.

Also located in the Agora (and its best preserved ruins) are the Odeion of Agrippa, once a covered theatre, and the Hephaisteion, a temple to Hephaistos also known as the Theseion.

This 51-page full-color guide to the Agora prepared by excavator John McK. Camp II presents information about each building in the Agora complete with color photographs, maps, diagrams, and drawings. If you are planning to spend your free time exploring Athens (we have a day and a half!), then you might want to print this guide to use in your visit to the site.

You will enjoy this short YouTube video, Teacher Travels: Ancient Agora, which shows many of the fascinating relics discovered by the archealogists.