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Stoa of Attalos, its south part, with the Areios Pagos in the background. Γεράσιμος Σκιαδαρέσης, Carl Siele Archaeological Society at Athens © Η εν Αθήναις Αρχαιολογική Εταιρεία -
Masonry detail (late Roman wall in the area of the Stoa of Attalos) Archaeological Society at Athens © Η εν Αθήναις Αρχαιολογική Εταιρεία -
Restoration of the Stoa of Attalus, taken from N. To the left of the frame is Panathinaion Street and the late Roman wall. Archaeological Society at Athens © Η εν Αθήναις Αρχαιολογική Εταιρεία -
Ancient remains, probably of the Stoa of Attalos Edward Dodwell Aikaterini Laskaridis Foundation © Ίδρυμα Αικατερίνης Λασκαρίδη -
Votive inscriptions from the Stoa of Attalos in Athens. These inscriptions, as well as many other parts of the Stoa, were used in the reconstruction of the Propylaea of the Acropolis of Athens and the walls surrounding the rock. Aikaterini Laskaridis Foundation © Ίδρυμα Αικατερίνης Λασκαρίδη -
Stoa of Attalos. The south part. SW view. Carl Siele, Γεράσιμος Σκιαδαρέσης Archaeological Society at Athens © Η εν Αθήναις Αρχαιολογική Εταιρεία
The Stoa of Attalos is located in the eastern part of the Ancient Agora. It was built by Attalos II Philadelphos, king of Pergamum and benefactor of Athens, in the 2nd century BCE (159-138 BCE). It was identified by a large votive inscription on the architrave. The stoas were wide-fronted buildings with a colonnade instead of a wall on one long side. Their primary function was to protect people from weather conditions, while ensuring fresh air and natural light.
The Stoa of Attalos, about 115 metres long, had two floors with double colonnades and a total of 42 rooms, which functioned as shops. It was constructed with limestone and marble from mounts Pentelicus and Hymettus. On the ground floor, the external colonnade consists of Doric columns, while the interior colonnade is of the Ionic style. On the upper floor, the exterior colonnade was formed by Ionic columns while on the interior the columns bore Pergamene capitals. It is worth noting the exterior colonnade on the ground floor: the spaces between the columns are larger compared to temple colonnades, in order to facilitate access for a large number of people. In addition, the columns remained unfluted up to a third of their height, as the movement of people and goods could potentially cause damage.
The Stoa of Attalus was essentially the commercial centre of its time, with many shops that were leased by the state to private individuals. In addition, it served as a place for Athenians to socialise, trade and stroll for about 4 centuries. It was burned during the raid of the Heruli in 267 CE and, at the end of the 3rd century, it was annexed to the late Roman wall of the city. Excavations for its study and public display began in the 19th century and its restoration took place in the 1950s. Today the Stoa of Attalos operates as a museum that houses the findings from the excavations of the Ancient Agora.
