Ancient Agora

The Agora was the main meeting space for daily life; and the older Ancient Agora (built from 600BC onwards) was the administration centre. It was also the foundation of democracy - not only the proclamation of democratic process; but the council chambers and day to day bureaucratic processes associated with democracy.

Given the historical significance of democracy, it is strange that much of the Agora remains as ruins. The complex has two very well restored sections - the Stoa of Attalos which has an excellent museum on artefacts discovered in the area and a collection of statues; and the Temple of Hephaestus on the opposite side. In between, the site is mostly in ruins - a pity given its significance in the modern political world.