Ágora de atenas

The Agora of Athens was the center of commercial , social and political life of the ancient city of Athens. A large open space flanked by a buildup of public buildings. Over time, he acquired a mixture of functions:

Government Center
It was , inter alia, where the Athenians gathered to discuss their laws and decide the political future of their city , which used to be deposited in the hands of those who best dominasen oratory, the art of convincing . The philosophy of Socrates, or , more accurately , the immortal Platonic dialogues (and Plato's Academy , whose doors were open for more than eight centuries ) gave our thinking , some enduring bases, born within a group of friends sophia ( wisdom) that he opposed democracy , the agora, leaving the future of the city in the hands of sophisticated speakers and demagogues.

Until the reforms of Cleisthenes was the gathering place of the Ecclesia ( Assembly).

The Athenian agora became a residential area during Roman and Byzantine occupations. Which was unquestionably new forms implemented in terms discussing art .

sacred precinct
The Agora was a sacred place , as witnessed by numerous shrines . There temples dedicated to the Olympian gods, Hephaestus , Zeus and Apollo were . There were also the courts where trials were held and where convicted , inter alia, to Socrates death penalty , according to his accusers , corrupting the youth and introducing new gods.

market
His vitality was augmented by the Via de Panathenaic or Panathenaic ( old name ) , the main road to access Athens - after transposing the door Dipylon - , and sometimes was the main scene of the procession that crossed over Panathenaic festivals .