[Agora Webpage] AgoraPicBk 16 2003: Boundary Stones and House of Simon the Cobbler

http://agathe.gr/guide/boundary_stones_and_house_of_simon_the_cobbler.html

Boundary Stones and House of Simon the Cobbler Inscribed marble posts were used to mark the entrances to the Agora wherever a street led into the open square. Two have been found in situ, inscribed with ... Two have been found in situ, inscribed with the simple text "I am the boundary of the Agora," in letters that should date somewhere around 500 B.C. ... The limits of the square had to be well marked for two reasons. ... The evidence is circumstantial, but we may well have here the remains of one of Sokrates’ informal classrooms.

[Agora Webpage] Birth of Democracy: The Athenian Navy

http://agathe.gr/democracy/the_athenian_navy.html

The Athenian Navy With thousands of kilometers of coastline and hundreds of islands, the Greek world was likely to be dominated only by a naval power. A generation after the establishment of democracy ... Now, in discussing the Athenian constitution, I cannot commend their present method of running the state, because in choosing it they preferred that the masses should do better than the respectable citizens; this, then, is my reason for not commending it. Since, however, they have made this choice, I will demonstrate how well they preserve their constitution and handle the other affairs for which the rest of the Greeks criticize them.

[Agora Webpage] AgoraPicBk 16 2003: Middle Stoa

http://agathe.gr/guide/middle_stoa.html

Middle Stoa The appearance of the south side of the Agora was radically changed during the 2nd century B.C. with the construction of several new buildings. This South Square, as it is called, was made ... Of the Classical buildings, the Aiakeion and Southwest Fountain House were incorporated, South Stoa I was demolished, and the Southeast Fountain House and Mint were left out. ... At just under 150 meters long, it is the largest building in the Agora, with colonnades at both north and south as well as down the middle.

[Agora Webpage] AgoraPicBk 4 2004: The Agora and Pnyx

http://agathe.gr/democracy/the_agora_and_pnyx.html

The Agora and Pnyx Center of public activity, the Agora was a large open square where all the citizens could assemble (2, 3). It was used for a variety of functions: markets, religious processions, athletic ... Boundary stones, such as the one shown below (4), indicate that the Agora had well-recognized geographical limits. 2. ... In letters which run right to left the inscription reads: “I am the boundary of the Agora.”.

[Agora Webpage] AgoraPicBk 16 2003: History of the Agora

http://agathe.gr/guide/history_of_the_agora.html

History of the Agora The excavations of the Athenian Agora have uncovered about thirty acres on the sloping ground northwest of the Acropolis (Fig. 3). Material of all periods from the Late Neolithic to ... [King Cyrus speaks]: "'I have never feared men who have a place set apart in the middle of their city where they lie and deceive each other. If I keep my health, the Hellenes will have their own sufferings to worry about, not those of the Ionians.' ... The Stoa Poikile [28], Tholos [6], New Bouleuterion [7], Stoa of Zeus Eleutherios [3], South Stoa I [14], Mint [16], and Lawcourts [23] were all added to the periphery of the great square, as were fountain houses, temples, and shops.

[Agora Webpage] Birth of Democracy: Sokrates

http://agathe.gr/democracy/sokrates.html

Sokrates The philosopher Sokrates was one of many Athenians critical of the people and their control over affairs of state. His probing public debates with fellow citizens led to his trial for impiety ... Plato, in the Apology, tells what Sokrates suggests: What penalty do I deserve to pay or suffer, in view of what I have done? ... I tried to persuade each one of you not to think more of practical advantages than of his mental and moral well-being, or in general to think more of advantage than of well-being in the case of the state or of anything else ...

[Agora Webpage] Overview: The Stoa of Attalos

http://agathe.gr/overview/the_stoa_of_attalos.html

The Stoa of Attalos The Stoa of Attalos was originally built by King Attalos II of Pergamon (159–138 B.C.), as a gift to the Athenians in appreciation of the time he spent in Athens studying under the ... The first floor is used for the excavation offices, workrooms, and archives as well as for additional storage. ... The “Law against Tyranny” inscription (I 6524) was also erected in the colonnade before the dedication ceremony.

[Agora Webpage] Birth of Democracy: Practice of Ostracism

http://agathe.gr/democracy/practice_of_ostracism.html

Ostracism Soon after their victory over the Persians at the battle of Marathon in 490 B.C., the Athenians began the practice of ostracism, a form of election designed to curb the power of any rising tyrant ... They preserve the names of all the well-known statesmen as well as several unknown aspirants to political power. ... "None whatever," was the reply, "I do not even know the fellow, but I am sick of hearing him called 'The just' everywhere!

[Agora Webpage] Birth of Democracy: The Ekklesia

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The Ekklesia (Citizens' Assembly) All Athenian citizens had the right to attend and vote in the Ekklesia, a full popular assembly which met about every 10 days. All decrees (psephismata) were ratified ... In phase I (about 500 B.C.) the Pnyx utilized the natural slope of the hillside, but either political concerns or the exposure of the seating area to northeast winds made a reversal of the structure necessary. ... Decorated with various images-a bow, a cow, a dolphin, crossed torches, rosette, Nike, a ship, as well as letters (E or K) - these small tokens were turned in for pay, allowing poor citizens to participate without losing a day's wages.

[Agora Webpage] Publications: Picture Books

http://agathe.gr/publications/picture_books.html

Picture Books The Athenian Agora Picture Book series, started in 1951, aims to make information about life in the ancient commercial and political center of Athens available to a wide audience. Each booklet ... The booklet illustrates many different forms of amphora, all set into context by the well-written text. ... From financing to tools, and from mason’s marks to the clamps that held blocks together, no detail is ommitted in this well-illustrated text. ... I.Publication Date: 1985ISBN: 0876616279Picture Book: 22 As well as the Little Owl, or glaux, so often seen accompanying the goddess Athena, many other birds played an important role in Greek art and symbolism.

[Agora Webpage] Publications: Monographs

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Monographs Excavations in the civic and cultural center of classical Athens began in 1931 and have continued almost without interruption to the present day. The first Athenian Agora volumes presenting ... The index of authors gives dates and editions as well as passages and inscriptions cited, and is followed by an index of subjects. ... To the Greek deities of earlier times are added Oriental figures like Serapis, Isis, Harpokrates, Attis, as well as Egyptian priests and Asiatic dancers. ... All the important pieces are shown in photographs, as well as all complete vases and those with particular problems.

[Agora Webpage] Birth of Democracy: Tyranny

http://agathe.gr/democracy/tyranny.html

Tyranny As happened in many other Greek states, a tyrant arose in Athens in the 6th century B.C. His name was Peisistratos, and after several unsuccessful attempts he seized power in 546 B.C. and ruled ... Athens, Agora Museum I 4120. Broken from a large marble block inscribed with a list of archons of Athens, this piece preserves parts of the names of six archons of the 520's B.C.; two of them are members of the family of Peisistratos: In the second line we read Hippias, his son, and in the last line, Peisistratos the younger, his grandson. The inscription also records the names of two other well-known politicians active in the late 6th century B.C.: Miltiades, future hero of the battle of Marathon against the Persians, and Kleisthenes, later to be the initiator of democratic reforms.

[Agora Webpage] Overview: The Staff

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The Archaeologists The First Generation The Agora Excavations staff and work force, 1933. Archaeologists, staff, foremen, and workmen gathered under the Hephaisteion for a group photograph. The staff of ... E.V. studying the text of the “Law against Tyranny” inscription (I 6524). Affectionately known by students and colleagues by only his initials, Eugene Vanderpool began his career at the Agora in 1932. ... Young was posed sitting amidst stacks of pottery removed from a well (Deposit A 17:2) that were ready for sorting.