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== History == |
== History == |
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During the [[2nd century BC]], the appearance of the south side of the Agora changed radically with the construction of several new buildings. The first to be built was the Middle Stoa, constructed between 180 and 140 BC. During this period, the character of the Agora changed significantly, with the construction of many new buildings in its center; the Middle Stoa was the first of these.<ref name=”ASCSA.net”/><ref name=”Perseus”>{{cite web | url=http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/artifact?name=Athens,+Middle+Stoa&object=building |title=Middle Stoa | website=[[Perseus Project|Perseus]] |language=en |access-date=2024-08-05}}</ref> It was likely used for commercial purposes, similar to other nearby buildings.<ref name=”AIG”>{{cite web| url=http://www.athensinfoguide.com/wtsagora6.htm | title=Ancient Agora, South Side | website=Athens Info Guide | language=en|access-date=2024-08-05}}</ref> This building divided the ancient square from east to west, fragmenting it into two unequal |
During the [[2nd century BC]], the appearance of the south side of the Agora changed radically with the construction of several new buildings. The first to be built was the Middle Stoa, constructed between 180 and 140 BC. During this period, the character of the Agora changed significantly, with the construction of many new buildings in its center; the Middle Stoa was the first of these.<ref name=”ASCSA.net”/><ref name=”Perseus”>{{cite web | url=http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/artifact?name=Athens,+Middle+Stoa&object=building |title=Middle Stoa | website=[[Perseus Project|Perseus]] |language=en |access-date=2024-08-05}}</ref> It was likely used for commercial purposes, similar to other nearby buildings.<ref name=”AIG”>{{cite web| url=http://www.athensinfoguide.com/wtsagora6.htm | title=Ancient Agora, South Side | website=Athens Info Guide | language=en|access-date=2024-08-05}}</ref> This building divided the ancient square from east to west, fragmenting it into two unequal .<ref name=”ASCSA.net”>{{cite web| url = http://agora.ascsa.net/id/agora/monument/middle%20stoa| title = Agora Monument: Middle Stoa| website = ASCSA.net| publisher = [[American School of Classical Studies at Athens]]| language = en|access-date=2024-08-05}}</ref> |
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The specific builder of the Middle Stoa is unknown. It may have been [[Pharnaces I of Pontus]], King of [[Kingdom of Pontus|Pontus]], or a member of the family of [[Attalus II]] or [[Attalus III]] of [[Kingdom of Pergamon|Pergamon]].<ref name=”AIG”/> The building may have been destroyed during the [[Roman Republic|Roman]] invasion under [[Sulla]] in 86 BC. It is assumed that the stoa was rebuilt and remained in operation until at least the [[1st century|1st century AD]].<ref>{{cite web | url=http://project.athens-agora.gr/index.php?view=ekdpar&pid=23&lang_id=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402143903/https://project.athens-agora.gr/index.php?view=ekdpar&pid=23&lang_id=en|archive-date=2015-04-02 | title=Middle Stoa | website=The Ancient Agora of Athens |series=Virtual Reality Digital Collection | language = en|access-date=2024-08-05}}</ref> |
The specific builder of the Middle Stoa is unknown. It may have been [[Pharnaces I of Pontus]], King of [[Kingdom of Pontus|Pontus]], or a member of the family of [[Attalus II]] or [[Attalus III]] of [[Kingdom of Pergamon|Pergamon]].<ref name=”AIG”/> The building may have been destroyed during the [[Roman Republic|Roman]] invasion under [[Sulla]] in 86 BC. It is assumed that the stoa was rebuilt and remained in operation until at least the [[1st century|1st century AD]].<ref>{{cite web | url=http://project.athens-agora.gr/index.php?view=ekdpar&pid=23&lang_id=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402143903/https://project.athens-agora.gr/index.php?view=ekdpar&pid=23&lang_id=en|archive-date=2015-04-02 | title=Middle Stoa | website=The Ancient Agora of Athens |series=Virtual Reality Digital Collection | language = en|access-date=2024-08-05}}</ref> |
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Revision as of 11:59, 27 January 2026
Stoa (portico) in Athens, Greece
| Middle Stoa | |
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 The Middle Stoa is marked with number 11 in the complex of Agora buildings. |
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| Type | Stoa (portico) |
| Location | Ancient Agora of Athens, Athens, Greece |
| Year built | 180–140 BC |
| Demolished | Possibly 86 BC (rebuilt), fell out of use after 1st c. AD |
| Other dimensions | 150 m (490 ft) long, 17 m (56 ft) wide |
| Material | Limestone, conglomerate |
The Middle Stoa (Greek: Μέση Στοά, Mése Stoá) was a portico or stoa located approximately in the center of the Agora of Athens, which it divided into two zones: north and south.
History
During the 2nd century BC, the appearance of the south side of the Agora changed radically with the construction of several new buildings. The first to be built was the Middle Stoa, constructed between 180 and 140 BC. During this period, the character of the Agora changed significantly, with the construction of many new buildings in its center; the Middle Stoa was the first of these.[1][2] It was likely used for commercial purposes, similar to other nearby buildings.[3] This building divided the ancient square from east to west, fragmenting it into two unequal parts.[1]
The specific builder of the Middle Stoa is unknown. It may have been Pharnaces I of Pontus, King of Pontus, or a member of the family of Attalus II or Attalus III of Pergamon.[3] The building may have been destroyed during the Roman invasion under Sulla in 86 BC. It is assumed that the stoa was rebuilt and remained in operation until at least the 1st century AD.[4]
Description
The stoa was built in an east–west direction and divided the Agora area into two parts of different sizes: a larger one to the north and a smaller one to the south. The Middle Stoa was the largest building in the Athenian Agora, measuring nearly 150 meters long and 17 meters wide. It had two outer Doric colonnades on the north and south sides, and one inner Ionic colonnade consisting of 23 columns. The building was made of limestone, with a terracotta (fired clay) roof.[1][2]
To the south of the Middle Stoa were the South Stoa I and the Aiakeion. The so-called East Building connected the Middle Stoa and the South Stoa at the eastern end of both structures.[1][3]
Remains
Remains are preserved of a narrow parapet that ran between some of the columns—possibly to divide the stoa into sections—as well as parts of the building, foundations, steps, and the lower portions of some columns.[1][3] At its eastern end, original steps and three columns remain in situ. At the western end, only the foundations of reddish conglomerate survive. Despite its large size, the Middle Stoa was a relatively modest construction, with a primarily commercial function.[1][2]
