A platform for research: civil engineering, architecture and urbanism
A platform for research: civil engineering, architecture and urbanism
The Greek Agora
The agora of a Greek city was the center of town in virtually all respects. Civic activities and the administration of justice provided the original impetus for the creation of these large open spaces at the heart of the city. Hippodamos of Miletos was celebrated as a town planner; a simple orthogonal grid plan is a feature of many of his designed cities. It is not really until the fourth century and the Hellenistic period that one finds the agora as an organized rectilinear space laid out near the center of the city and accommodated in its grid. One of the most recognizable architectural elements used to delineate an agora was the stoa (colonnade). Running dozens or even hundreds of meters long, they were ideal for defining a large open space. The earliest uses of the word “agora” emphasize its primary function as a place of political assembly and public deliberation.
The Greek Agora
The agora of a Greek city was the center of town in virtually all respects. Civic activities and the administration of justice provided the original impetus for the creation of these large open spaces at the heart of the city. Hippodamos of Miletos was celebrated as a town planner; a simple orthogonal grid plan is a feature of many of his designed cities. It is not really until the fourth century and the Hellenistic period that one finds the agora as an organized rectilinear space laid out near the center of the city and accommodated in its grid. One of the most recognizable architectural elements used to delineate an agora was the stoa (colonnade). Running dozens or even hundreds of meters long, they were ideal for defining a large open space. The earliest uses of the word “agora” emphasize its primary function as a place of political assembly and public deliberation.
The Greek Agora
Miles, Margaret M. (editor) / Camp, John McK. II (author)
A Companion to Greek Architecture ; 300-313
2016-08-08
14 pages
Article/Chapter (Book)
Electronic Resource
English
| Online Contents | 2008
DataCite | 1907
DataCite | 1906
DataCite | 1905
DataCite | 1906