Greek Agora, Athens, 6th century

In ancient Greece, an Agora was a central location in a city used as a gathering place or an assembly. The most well known Agora of ancient times is the Agora of Athens which was located just below the Acropolis. The Greek Agora helped change city planning and is still used in some capacity today. ¹

The Agora, literally meaning “gathering place” was the focal point of Greek cities. It would serve as meeting place for political assemblies and as a market. Laws would be posted in the Agora for all to see. Over time the agora would evolve, civic and administration buildings would line the exterior, often with temples and places of worship. Agoras were also lined with stoas, covered walkways meant for the public. Stoas provided a safe, enveloping  atmospheres for people. The agora became a mainstay for the city. The agora is where citizens would gather to exchange ideas. Early philosophers would gather to discuss and debate ideas of all nature, from science, medicine, laws and politics. Because of this, agoras would often feature libraries and lecture halls.²

Over time the Athens agora was seldom used for political debates, an ecclesia known as the Pnyx was used for formal assemblies. This did not take away from the agora. Agoras were still popular among lower class citizens and still served as a viable market place. This distinction between spaces was important to the Greeks and served as a class system. The Pnyx was a hill which overlooked the agora. Only men who served a least two years in the military were allowed to enter the Pnyx.

Work Cited 

1)      Understanding Architecture, An introduction to architecture and architectural history, Conway, Hazel and Roenisch, Rowan. Pg 194-195

      2)      The Agora at Athens and the Greek Market Place, Thompson, A. Homer Pg 9-14, Dec., 1954.