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600-479 B.C.
THE AGORA
For the first time the area of
the Agora is modified. The ancient Mycenaean road is converted to the
Panathenaic Road. The space is being cleaned creating a big surface (the
orchestra-ορχήστρα) for the citizen
gatherings. On its boundaries, the first public buildings are constructed. On
the south, there is a spring and the grounds of
Aiakeion. On the west, there are the temples of Zeus, of Patroos Apollo, the
Metroon, the Bouleuterion and the Prytanicon.
On the north can be found two altars constructed by the
tyrant Peisistratos. The Altar of the 12
Gods and the Leokoreion. At the Leokorion the son of Peisistratos,
Hipparchos, was murdered by Harmodios and Aristogeiton, the famous Tyrannicides.
Finally, southeast of the Agora lies the sanctuary of Demeter, the Eleusinion.
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Panoramic view of the Agora from the east. In front, is the spring. In the background, from the right to the left, the
temple of Zeus, the temple of
Patroos Apollo, the Metroon, the
Bouleuterion, the Prytanicon and the the grounds of
Aiakeion, previously thought to be the court of Heliaia . |
View
from the north. In the foreground the
Leokoreion where Hipparchos was murdered. Behind it, the temple of
the 12 Gods (525 B.C.). In the background, the Acropolis. |
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From
the right to the left:
the temple of Zeus, the temple of Patroos Apollo and the
Metroon.
The Metroon, was a temple dedicated to the Mother of the Gods. In
there were kept the important documents of the state.
All these, are buildings of the 6th century
B.C. |
The
Bouleuterion (500 B.C.).
A square building with an amphitheatre inside. It was the place
where the Council of the 500 elected Deputies were discussing the
city's matters. Something like the modern parliament. |
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The
Prytanikon.
(550-525 B.C.)
It is sometimes considered that it was a Palace
of Peisistratos and his sons. During the Democracy times, however,
it served as a dinning room for the elected Deputies. During the
excavations, pottery was found with the inscription: "ΔΕ"
(Δημόσιον-Demosion),
meaning that it belongs
to the State. |
The
Eleusinion from the south. The temple and the altar. |
For other monuments of
Archaic Athens click below:
THE
ACROPOLIS
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