Definition
The Stoa of Attalos is an ancient Greek colonnaded building that originally stood on the north side of the Agora of Athens. It functioned as a covered marketplace and gathering place and now houses the Agora Museum.
Overview
Constructed in 150 BC by King Attalus II of Pergamon, the stoa was part of a series of civic structures that framed the Athenian Agora during the Hellenistic period. It measured approximately 116 m in length and 21 m in depth and featured two stories of Ionic columns. The building fell into ruin after the 3rd century AD, and its remains were largely buried until the mid‑20th century. Between 1953 and 1956, the American School of Classical Studies at Athens reconstructed the Stoa using original marble fragments and modern materials, following the original plan known from ancient sources and archaeological evidence. Today the structure serves as the Agora Museum, displaying artifacts recovered from the surrounding archaeological site.
Etymology/Origin
- Stoa (Greek: στοά) derives from the ancient Greek verb στέλλω meaning “to stand,” referring to a building with a sheltered walkway.
- Attalos refers to Attalus II Philadelphus, the ruler of the Kingdom of Pergamon (reigned 159–138 BC), who funded the construction as a diplomatic gift to Athens.
Characteristics
- Architectural order: Ionic columns on the exterior colonnade; Doric or Ionic columns on the interior, per reconstruction evidence.
- Plan: Rectangular footprint with a double‑row colonnade on the long sides; internal rooms on the ground floor used as shops, with a second story that likely housed offices or meeting rooms.
- Materials: Original construction employed local Pentelic marble for columns and limestone for the walls; the 20th‑century reconstruction incorporated marble fragments recovered on‑site and reinforced concrete for structural stability.
- Function: Served as a commercial hub where merchants displayed goods, and as a social space for citizens to gather, discuss politics, and seek legal counsel.
- Current use: The interior now exhibits archaeological finds from the Agora, including pottery, inscriptions, and sculptures, providing insight into Athenian public life across several centuries.
Related Topics
- Ancient Agora of Athens
- Hellenistic architecture
- Classical Greek stoas (e.g., Stoa of Zeus, Stoa Poikile)
- Attalus II of Pergamon and his patronage of Greek cities
- Reconstruction of ancient monuments in the 20th century
- Museum practices in archaeological sites.