Remains of the Roman Agora built in Athens during the Roman period
Roman agroa and the Tower of the Winds
Gate of Athena Archegetis

The Roman Agora (Greek: Ρωμαϊκή Αγορά) is a ruined agora in Athens built in the Roman era to the east of the Ancient Agora and the north of the Acropolis.

History

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The Roman Agora was built around 100 metres east of the original agora by Eucles of Marathon between 27 BC and 17 BC (or possibly in 10 BC),[1] using funds donated by Augustus, in fulfilment of a promise originally made by Julius Caesar in 51 BC.[2] The Roman Agora has not today been fully excavated, but is known to have been an open space surrounded by a peristyle. To its south was a fountain. To its west, behind a marble colonnade, were shops and a Doric propylon (entrance), the Gate of Athena Archegetis. To its east was an Ionic gate, the East Propylon,[3] next to the Tower of the Winds and a set of "vespasianae" (public toilets). An inscription records the existence of an Agoranomion (an office for market officials), while another, set on the propylon of Athena Archegetis records a decree from Hadrian's reign regarding the tax obligations of oil merchants.[4]

See also

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Footnotes

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  1. ^ "Ρωμαϊκή Αθήνα". Αρχαιολογία Online (in Greek). Retrieved 2024-10-15.
  2. ^ Schmalz 2009, pp. 79–80.
  3. ^ Camp, 2001: 192
  4. ^ Ζαρμακούπη, 2023: 139

Bibliography

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Media related to Roman Agora (Athens) at Wikimedia Commons

37°58′27″N 23°43′35″E / 37.9742°N 23.7265°E / 37.9742; 23.7265