Athens, the southernmost capital on the European mainland, is one of the world's oldest cities, with its recorded history spanning over 3,400 years. According to Greek mythology the city was named after Athena, the ancient Greek goddess of wisdom. Classical Athens was one of the most powerful city-states in ancient Greece. It was a centre for democracy, the arts, education and philosophy, and was highly influential throughout the European continent, particularly in Ancient Rome. For this reason it is often regarded as the cradle of Western civilisation and the birthplace of democracy.
The ancient Agora of Athens was a meeting place of the polis, used for military, judicial, and popular assemblies of free citizens. It has existed since around the 5th century BC and contrasts with the cultic and political center of power of the archaic fortress (the Acropolis up in the knoll). Therefore, the agora represents a significant step in the development of Athenian democracy.
In 480 BC, the Persians conquered Athens, destroying much of the city and the agora. Sooin after the reconstruction began. Therefore, many new buildings were built during this period.
In the 2nd century BC, Athens increasingly became the spiritual center of the Mediterranean world. Rulers of various countries began to demonstrate their power and culture by constructing buildings in Athens. As a result, construction activity in the agora increased enormously. It was during this time that the large, imposing stoa were built. It wasn't until the second half of the 2nd century that the agora was completely surrounded by buildings.
In 146 BC Greece was declared a Roman province. At the beginning of the 1st century BC, Athens turned against Rome, leading to a siege of the city in 86 BC, during which, the Agora was partly damaged. By the middle of the century, the Romans were showing greater interest in Athens. This again led to increased construction activity. A new marketplace, the Roman Agora, was built about 150 meters east of the Agora, largely depriving the Agora of this function.
The reign of Trajan (98–117) and Hadrian (117–138) ushered in a final period of prosperity for the Agora. After the Heruli stormed Athens in 267, destroying most of the Agora's buildings, the Agora never again became the important center it had been in previous centuries.
The Church of the Holy Apostles
(aka Holy Apostles of Solaki) is located next to the Stoa of Attalos, and can be dated to around the late 10th century. The church is significant as the only monument in the Agora, other than the Temple of Hephaestus, to survive intact since its foundation. It was the first significant church of the Middle Byzantine period in Athens, and marks the beginning of the so-called "Athenian type", successfully combining the simple four-pier with the cross-in-square forms. The church was built partly over a 2nd-century nymphaion, and was restored to its original form between 1954 and 1957.
This may well be lintel of the early church depicting a cross flanked by lions.
