The South Square is a complex of buildings located on the south side of the main square of the Ancient Agora of Athens. [1] The name has been coined by modern scholars, as the ancient name of the area is unknown. [1] The square took shape during the second and third quarters of the 2nd century BC, [1] with the Middle Stoa dividing the old agora square into two unequal parts. [2]
The South Square was created during an extensive building program in the 2nd century BC, often attributed to the benefaction of Hellenistic rulers. [2] The new complex replaced the earlier South Stoa I, which had been built c. 430–420 BC. [3] While the earlier stoa was aligned with an ancient street, the new South Square buildings were reoriented to align with the Aiakeion (previously identified as the Heliaia), creating a more enclosed and rectangular public space.
The complex was defined by the construction of three major buildings, built in the following chronological order: [1]
The Middle Stoa was the first component constructed, likely around 180 BC. [2] It was the largest stoa in the Agora, measuring nearly 150 meters long. [4] The building was constructed of limestone with a terracotta roof and featured Doric colonnades on both its north and south sides. [4] It had no interior walls; instead, a central row of columns divided the interior. [4] The north side faced the main agora square, while the south side opened onto the South Square. [2]
The East Building joined the eastern ends of the Middle Stoa and South Stoa II, enclosing the east side of the square. [2] It was a rectangular structure measuring approximately 12 m × 40 m (39 ft × 131 ft). [2] The building was designed with a split level to accommodate the terrain: the western half, which faced the square's courtyard, was lower than the eastern half, which faced the Panathenaic Way. [2] A marble-chip mosaic floor in the eastern hall featured twelve marble bases, which may have supported tables for bankers or moneychangers. [2]
The South Stoa II was built in the middle of the 2nd century BC, replacing the Classical-era South Stoa I. [2] It ran parallel to the Middle Stoa and utilized a single Doric colonnade of limestone. [5] Much of the building's superstructure was composed of reused materials from a 4th-century BC building. [6] Unlike its predecessor, it did not contain rooms behind the colonnade, though a small fountain house was set into the back wall. [6]
Near the middle of the square lie the remains of two small buildings, consisting of scattered foundation stones. [1] Based on their ground plans, these structures have been identified as temples. [7] The eastern building was peripteral, featuring columns on all four sides. [1] The western building possessed a broad cella with a porch located only on its east end. [7] Both temples date to the Hellenistic period, likely the late 2nd century BC, and appear to have been damaged during the Roman siege of Athens in 86 BC. [7] There is currently no evidence indicating which divinities were worshipped in either temple. [7]
The South Square is generally considered to have served a primarily commercial function. [1] The layout of the square, an enclosed courtyard surrounded by colonnades, resembles the Roman macellum (market building). [2] The discovery of marble bases in the East Building suggests it may have served as a headquarters for bankers or moneychangers, further supporting the identification of the area as a commercial center. [2]
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| West Side | ||
| East Side | ||
| South Side | ||
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