Hydria Virtual Museum: Hydraulic Works in the Ancient Agora of Athens

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Being the heart of public life in ancient Athens, the Agora hosts the central administration and justice services; it is also the centre of trade and financial activity. In the pre-classical era, the Ancient Agora was the place where the ekklisia met; a place hosting various events related to theatre and dance, athletic shows and exhibitions, all of them so favored by the Athenians.

Image courtesy of Hydria Virtual Museum — Plan of the Ancient Agora: 1. Temple of Hephaistos; 2. Stoa of Zeus Eleutherios; 3. Bouleutirion (House of Parliament, old and new); 4. Tholos; 5. Altar of the 12 Gods.
Hydria Virtual Museum

Actually, from the 8^th century BC up until the 3^rd century BC, when it was completely destroyed by the Erouls, the Agora constituted the favourite resort for the residents of Athens, the place where all social and intellectual relations took place – the core of the city. Throughout this period various waterworks were constructed in the Agora to facilitate the increased needs of the population, not only for irrigation but for efficient drainage works as well.

These works, namely the wells, the cisterns, the fountains, the hydraulic and drainage works, etc, are presented herewith, mainly through estimated simulation diagrams. Furthermore, there are also quite a few contemporary photos of the remains of the Hydraulic works, as they can be traced today, 2,500 years later, by the visitor walking around the archaeological site of the Agora.

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