Thiseio,Agora, Prytaneio,Stoa of of Attalos,Temple of Hephaestus Our cultural heritage troves ,eTwinning project 2018-2019 Athens- Barcelona
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Agora
The agora (Ancient Greek: ἀγορά agorá) was a central public space in ancient Greek city-states. The literal meaning of the word is "gathering place" or "assembly". The agora was the center of the athletic, artistic, spiritual and political life of the city.
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Thiseio, is the name of a traditional neighbourhood in downtown Athens northwest of the Acropolis Hill. The name of the area is derived from Theseus, the mythical king of Athens, which gave rise to the neighbourhood being named Thiseio. During antiquity, the place was considered sacred and a place to seek asylum. Today,it is a popular tourist destination in Athens, where you can see the ruins in Agora as well as the inter city train.
Thiseio is surrounded by hills, heights and historical sites which are within a walking distance. The Ancient Agora of Athens, Stoa of Attalos, the Temple of Hephaestus and Kerameikos Archaeological Museum can be entered from Thiseio.
A Prytaneion (Ancient Greek: Πρυτανεῖον) was seat of the Prytaneis and so the seat of government in Ancient Greece. The term is used not only to describe any of the ancient structures where officials met but it is also used to refer to the building where the officials and winners of the Olympic games met at Olympia. The Prytaneion normally stood in centre of the city, in the agora. There we could also see the holy fire of Hestia, the goddess of the hearth, and symbol of the life of the city
Tholos Tholos is the Greek word for "dome or cupola," when used in an architectural sense.It was part of Bouleutirion complex, which served as a seat of the Prytaneis of Athens, it was their Prytaneion. It was a round temple eighteen meters in diameter which served as a multipurposed venue, with both a dining hall and sleeping quarters for some of the officials. This accommodation was necessary as, after the reforms under Cleisthenes, one third of the senate had to be present in the complex at all times. It was built around 470 BCE by Cimon, to serve as a dining hall for the boule ( over 500 citizens who run the public affairs of the city)
Stoa of Attalos
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Stoa is a covered walkway with columns on the open sides, commonly for public use. Located at the eastern side of the Agora. A gift of Attalos II (159-138 B.C.), king of Pergamon (a city in modern day Turkey), to the city of Athens. He wanted to show his appreciation for the education he received there. It has two floors, with two series of columns each, and 21 rooms at the back. For the first time, different architectural orders are combined ( both doric and ionian) It was used to house merchants and shops. It was destroyed in 267 A.D. and restored during 1952-1956. Today it houses the museum of the Agora.
Temple of Hephaestus
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The temple is located at the north-west side of the Agora. 449-420 B.C. / modeled after Parthenon. It is attributed to Hephaestus and Athena. It is of doric order and built of marble from mt. Penteli. On top of the columns there was a series of panels depicting the labours of Hercules and Theseus. Became christian church of St. George in later years. (until 1835)