The Athenian Agora, specifically the area known as the Kerameikos, is a well-documented archaeological site. Excavations have revealed a rich history, but the story of its development, particularly the significance of the Autel des 12 Dieux (Altar of the Twelve Gods), is complex and often misinterpreted. This article explores the evolution of the Agora, focusing on the Autel des 12 Dieux as a marker of shifting power dynamics in archaic and classical Athens.
General plan of the Athenian Agora. The Autel des 12 Dieux is located in the central area.
The Early Agora: East of the Acropolis
While the Classical Agora in the Kerameikos is well-known, evidence suggests an earlier agora existed on the eastern slopes of the Acropolis. Literary sources place several public buildings, including the Ptolemaion, Theseion, Anakeion, Aglaurion, and Prytaneum, in this area. This clustering of civic structures suggests a central function, likely serving as the primary public space in archaic Athens. Furthermore, accounts of Pisistratus gathering armed citizens near the Aglaurion and Theseion support the existence of a public gathering space in this location. The discovery of the sanctuary of Aglauros reinforces Pausanias’ description of the area and provides further evidence for this early agora.
General plan of Athens showing the Acropolis and surrounding areas. The early agora was located on the eastern slopes.
The Rise of the Kerameikos Agora: The Tyrants’ Influence
Around the mid-6th century BC, a shift occurred. The Kerameikos area, previously residential and used for burials, began to transform. The construction of the edifice known as Building F, a large complex with associated dependencies, signifies a deliberate monumentalization of the area. This structure, likely the residence of the Pisistratid tyrants, played a crucial role in shaping the developing Agora. Concurrent with Building F, a theatron (theater) with carved seating on the slopes of the Kolonos Agoraios hill indicates a focus on public gatherings and performances. This theatron, coupled with the nearby orchestra, likely hosted Panathenaic festivals and other civic events.
Western part of the Agora showing Building F and the circular foundation of the later Tholos.
The Autel des 12 Dieux: A Symbolic Center
The construction of the Autel des 12 Dieux by Pisistratus the Younger in 522 BC marked a pivotal moment. This altar, situated in the northwest corner of the developing Agora, established a symbolic center for both the city and the wider region of Attica. It served as a reference point for measuring distances and solidified the Kerameikos as a focal point of Athenian civic life. The Southeast Fountain, built around the same time, further enhanced the area’s infrastructure and importance. Together, these monuments delineated a triangular space that formed the heart of the archaic Agora.
Reconstructed plan of the Autel des 12 Dieux in the Athenian Agora.
The Democratic Transformation
After the fall of the tyrants, the dêmos (the Athenian citizenry) deliberately reshaped the Agora. While the Autel des 12 Dieux remained, its dedicatory inscription to Pisistratus was erased, a clear act of damnatio memoriae. The construction of new civic buildings, such as the Stoa Basileios and the law courts, further redefined the space, solidifying its democratic character. The theatron and the Panathenaic Way continued to function, linking the Agora to the Acropolis and reinforcing the continuity of Athenian traditions. The erection of the statues of Harmodius and Aristogiton, the tyrannicides, near the orchestra served as a potent reminder of the democratic triumph over tyranny.
Roman copy of the Tyrannicides, originally located in the Athenian Agora.
Conclusion
The Autel Des 12 Dieux Agora emerged not as a sudden creation but as the result of a long and complex process. The tyrants laid the foundation, establishing a central space for civic life and imbuing it with symbolic significance. However, it was the democratic dêmos that ultimately shaped the Agora into the enduring symbol of Athenian democracy that we know today, carefully adapting and redefining the legacy of its predecessors.
