AGORA
CENTRE FOR ARTS , TRADE AND PHILOSOPHY
Agora, etymologically, means “city square place’ ,shopping
centre, market place”. At the heart of all trade, Agora with its open vaulted
three walled porches, monuments , altars
and statues had commercial , judicial, religious and political functions
besides it was a venue for intensive artistic activities. It was also the place
where the foundations of philosophy were laid.
The agora located in the District of Namazgah in Izmir dates
back to the Roman Period (2nd C.A.D) and according to the grid
planned Hippodamos moder, it was built on 3 floors at a location near the
centre. Of all the Roman Agorae, the Agora in Izmir is the largest and best preserved.
It is understand that the Agora in Izmir was a composite
structure in a rectangular form, built on arches and surrounded by columns with
a central courtyard; it has 3 floors and staircase in front of it.
It is also understood that the relief of the Goddess Vesta
at the northern gate of the agora is an extension of the reliefs from the Zeus
Altar unearthed in the initial period of excavations.
In addition to some
statues of various gods, namely Hermes , Dionysus ,Eros and Heracles ,many
artefacts including statues of men, women and animals , reliefs ,figurines and
marble,bones , glasses ,metal works and articles made of fired earth were
uncovered.
The newly unearthed inscriptions provided information about the
people who assisted the city during an earthquake which occurred in Izmir in
178.
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