Agora - what is it? And the meeting, and the square of the ancient Greeks

2024 Author: Henry Conors | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-12 02:53

Agora - what is it? The first association that arises when pronouncing a word refers to Ancient Greece. And she is correct. However, this term is ambiguous. Details that this is an agora will be discussed in the proposed review.

Two values

What is agora? The definition of this language unit in the dictionary is given in two versions.

1. The first of them speaks of the original interpretation and denotes a meeting of citizens who decided the most important matters in the life of the city. These included, for example, the military, judges, merchants.
2. The second reports that over time this name began to refer to the place where the meetings took place, that is, to the square. Statues of gods were placed on them, temples and other public buildings were built, located on the sides. And also trade was concentrated in the agora, festive processions took place here. Residents of the city spent a significant part of their time in this place. Those who celebrated the celebration were called the word "agoraios".

Further in continuation of the consideration of the question of what it is -agora, each of these values will be described in more detail.

People's Assembly

In ancient Greece, it was the highest authority in the state. As a rule, he had three types of power: legislative, executive and judicial. Every free man who was a citizen of this state, who was 20 years old, could take part in its work.

In the oligarchic policies, the rights of the agora were limited to other state bodies. They could be colleges, councils. In some states, people's assemblies had other names. So, in Athens it was ekklesia, in Argos it was aliya, in Sparta it was apella.

Considering what it means "agora", it should be noted that the people at the meeting made decisions about all the affairs of the state - about making peace, declaring war, signing treaties and creating alliances. The powers of ambassadors were also established by the people. When the ambassadors returned after completing their mission, after appearing in the council they were received at the people's assembly.

The spending of public funds, as well as changes in the amount of fees and charges depended on the decision of citizens. Their competence included cases that concerned a religious cult, for example, the introduction of a new one.

Together with other corporations, the people were engaged in the distribution of honors and rights to individuals. The Assembly also granted the right of citizenship to foreigners. The judicial duties of the people were available only in emergency situations. In most cases, the decision was left tocourt.

City Square

What is the agora in the second meaning? Usually this is a square, which was located in the very center of the city. It housed the main market, which was divided into "circles" in accordance with the types of goods. Often there were government buildings. As a rule, the agora was surrounded by galleries with temples and craft workshops. Sometimes statues were erected around the perimeter of the square.

Often the agora was the administrative and economic center of the city. On it, texts with the current legislation of the policy were put on public display. The most important decrees and other official documents were carved in stone.

In the classical period, the position of the central square became isolated, having a regular layout. Agora communicated with the city only through the gates. Order on the square was controlled by special-purpose officials, who were called "agoranoms".

Aghora in Athens

This is a city square with an area approaching 40 hectares. It is located northwest of the Acropolis, on a gentle hillside. The ancient Greek noun ἀγορά comes from the verb ἀγείρω, meaning "gather", "convene". This corresponds to the purpose of the area. In Athens, such a place was the center of social and social life, the main meeting place.

Civil administration, legal proceedings were also carried out here, trade was concentrated andentrepreneurship, there was a theater stage where dramas were played out, there was a platform for competitions of athletes and competitions of intellectuals who participated in scientific discussions.

Today, after archaeological excavations, the Athenian agora is a favorite place for tourists who are interested in getting to know the history of the ancient city.