Athenian agora
Archiac through Hellenistic Greek. 600 B.C.E.-150 C.E. Athens, Greece. Plan.
It is the most richly adorned and quality of its sculptural decoration it is surpassed only by the Parthenon. the sculptural decoration and certain sections of the roof were made up of Parian marble.
Complete Identification:
Athenian Agora
No known artist
600 BCE - 150 CE
Plan
Archaic through Hellenistic Greek
Greece (Athens)
Form:
See diagram and labellings for the specific name of each building (no sense in repeating it here)
Buildings originally made of marble
Pan-Athenaic Way goes through the center of the city → leads to the Acropolis
A lot of open space
Function:
Originally a burial ground (in Bronze and Iron Ages) → later converted into a public space
Started as a market → then became a place of government with administrative buildings and sacred spots
Once a year → procession through Agora and to the sacred mount
Dedicated to Athena
Content:
See diagram and labelling for the specific name of each building
Temples honoring gods
Athena → patron goddess of Athens
Increasingly substantial structures
The Stoa → business, political discussions, civic life
Context:
Was invaded by the Persians but rebuilt in the early Common Era
Athens
500 BCE → citizens start to be able to participate more in the government
Didn’t vote → participated directly
Offices held by rotation
Positions that were voted on required skills (like generals)
Citizens → had to be male and Athenian
Meritocracy and equality before the law
Themes:
Urban life
Cities and monumental architecture
Religion
Manifestation in daily life
Separation or no separation from government
Democracy
Cross Cultural Connections:
Other cities with monumental architecture, governance, and religious purposes (all within the specific city)
The Forbidden City
Machu Picchu and Cusco
Nan Madol
Sources: https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/ancient-art-civilizations/greek-art/classical/v/athenian-agora https://aparthistorygo.wordpress.com/2017/09/06/026-athenian-agora-plan/ |
