Roman Agora of Athens: Under the auspices of Rome

The Roman Agora, a project financed by Augustus and the family of Herod Atticus during 19 – 11 BC, proves this two-way relationship. It was constructed mainly for mercantile purposes and featured a large rectangular courtyard surrounded by stoas, shops and warehouses. The courtyard was paved with large marble slabs during Hadrian’s rule; some of these slabs were inscribed with texts by Marcus Aurelius, as they had originally been used for other purposes.

On the Agora’s western side there was a monumental gate, which is still preserved, dedicated to Athena Archegetis, with four Doric columns and a pediment of Pentelic marble. It is interesting to notice that the second propylon is not on the same line, nor is it made of the same material, but is placed diagonally to the east.

In contrast to the Ancient Agora, which also remained unknown until the 20th century, the Roman Agora had completely disappeared under the city’s urban fabric and its only visible feature was the gate of Athena Archegetis. Many thought it was a temple, but the British architects and travellers Stuart and Revett provided the correct interpretation, based on inscriptions mentioning the tax duties of oil merchants.

To uncover the Roman Agora, not only were houses demolished but also the street was cut off. Nevertheless, the current picture of the monument corresponds to half of its original size, with the remaining still buried beneath the houses.