THE ANCIENT AGORA ATHENS, GREECE

A Journey Through The Ancient Agora of Athens:

The Acropolis In The Distance:

The Civic Center:

The Temple of Hephaestus:

The Ancient Agora of Athens Museum: 

A Beautiful Church Built Over a 1000 Years Ago:

The Ancient Agora of Athens

Greece

The literal meaning of the term  agora is gathering place or assembly.  Therefore it was fit for the ancient Greeks to name the central spot of the city-states The Agora.  The Agora was the center of athletic, artistic, spiritual and political life of the city.  Among all, the Ancient Agora of Athens was the best known example of the birthplace of democracy.

Early in Greek history, between the 10 century and 8th century BC, free-born male land-owners who were citizens would gather in the agora for military duty or to hear statements of the ruling king or council.  In addition, the agora served as a marketplace where merchants kept stalls or shops to sell their goods.

The first stop at the Ancient Agora was at the Temple of Hephaestus.  Hephaestus was the Greek god of blacksmiths, craftsman and artisans.

The second stop at the Ancient Agora, on the way to the museum, was the civic center.  The civic center is where all the day-to-day activities took place in Ancient Greece.

The third and final stop at the Ancient Agora was the Ancient Agora Museum, housed in the restored Stoa of Attalos.  The museum was placed in the Stoa to house all of the ancient artifacts found in the Agora.  Our favorite statue in the museum was of Hermes who is the Greek god and protector of travelers.

It was an amazing experience to feel as if we were back in Ancient Greece and see the artifacts we have learned so much about over the years.

From Ancient Greece,

Nicole & Anthony