The Greek Agora

          Agora, in ancient Greek cities, was a large open square on slopping ground northwest of the Acropolis. It was designed as the civic center of the town, and was reserved for gatherings of citizens for a variety of purposes. The name, first found in the works of Homer, it was applied by the classical Greeks of the 5th century BC to what they regarded as a typical feature of their life; their daily religious, political, judicial, social, and commercial activity.

          The Agora was located either in the middle of the city or near the harbor, which was surrounded by public buildings and by temples. Colonnades, sometimes containing shops,  often enclosed the space, and statues, altars, trees, and fountains adorned it. The general trend at this time was to isolate the Agora from the rest of the town. Earlier stages in the evolution of the Agora have been sought in the East and, with better results, in Minoan Crete and in Mycenaean Greece.

          The use of the Agora varied at different periods. Even in classical times the space did not always remain the place for popular assemblies. In Athens the assembly was moved to the Pnyx (a hill to the west of the Acropolis), though the meetings devoted to ostracism were still held in the Agora, where the main tribunal remained. Retail traders know as "Kapelio" served as middle men between the craft men and customers, but were largely mistrusted in ancient time as unnecessary parasites. These traders were mostly were not the natives of that particular place, while the craftsmen were either citizens or free slaves.  

          The Agora also served for theatrical and gymnastic performances until special buildings and spaces were reserved for these purposes. In Athens respectable women were seldom seen in the Agora. Men accused of murder and other crimes were forbidden to enter it before their trials. Free men went there not only to transact business and to act as jurors but also to talk and idle-a habit often mentioned by comic poets. In exceptional circumstances a tomb in the Agora was granted as the highest honor for a citizen.

     Source: The Archaeology of Athens by John M. Camp. Yale University Press
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