The Roman Agora, situated on the northern foothills of the Acropolis, was founded in the middle of the 1st century BCE with the funding of Julius Caesar and was completed by Augustus between the years 19 and 11/10 BCE under the rule of Nikias. It was located to the east of the Ancient Agora, in spatial correlation with it, serving as the city’s commercial centre.

The enclosed structure of the Agora had two main entrances, one to the east and one to the west. The monumental propylon that stands today on the west side was placed at the intersection of two ancient roads: the one coming from the east connected the Roman with the Ancient Agora, while the road to the north led to the Acropolis. The propylon consists of four Doric columns, an architrave, a frieze and a pediment, and is made of Pentelic marble. The inscription on the architrave informs us that the deme of Athens, with the sponsorship of Gaius Julius Caesar and the Emperor Augustus, dedicated the gate to Athena Archegetis. Descriptions and drawings of 18th century travelers reveal that a statue of Lucius Caesar, grandson of Augustus, on horseback stood at the top of the gate. At the end of the 1st century CE, the eastern road leading to the Ancient Agora was paved and porticos with shops were built on either side. At that time, a ramp was constructed in front of the gate to offset the elevation difference and facilitate access to the Agora.

During the Byzantine period workshops, houses and churches occupied the area around the Roman Agora. In the years of Ottoman rule, the Gate of Athena Archegetis, which was still visible, was referred  as ‘Pazaroporta’ (gate of the bazar) by the city inhabitants, because the surrounding area served the needs of an annual market for the sale of wheat, the ‘Staropazaro’. The road passing through the gate had been restricted to its central opening, while the church of Agia Soteira was built in contact with the gate, on its south side.