The Agora was large square on thé northwest slope of the Acropolis, where social and religious activities, commerce, outdoor theatrical contests were held. In other words, it was the heart of the ancient city. But above all it was the center of Athenian democracy, since it was there that the most important administrative and judicial functions and political assemblies took place. From the 6th c.BC onwards, the open space Which was traverses n'y thé Panathenaic Way, was gradually surrounded by many public buildings, and it was adorned with temples, altars, stoas, fountains, portraits, and statues. It acquired its final form in the second c. AD. .... The Athenian Agora was repeatedly destroyed and pillaged: by the Persians 480 bc, the Romans under Sulla 86 bc, the Herulians 267 bc, and the Slavs 580 ad. In the 10 c. ad, following a long period of desertion, a Byzantine neighborhood grew up in the Agora area, and the church of the Holy Apostles was built. The area ...
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