The Greek City

 

Parts of a Greek City

1. The Acropolis (from Greek akros, "high", and polis, "city") was the citadel and it was the oldest part because the main reason for the inhabitants of the surroundings to gather in a city was to protect themselves from possible enemies. The acropolis was the religious hub of the city where the temples of the patron gods or goddesses were built.

2. Outside the citadel was the Agora: the social hub and financial marketplace around a centrally located large open square. Its main buildings were:

- Stoá: place for trade and justice
- Bouleuterion: meeting place for the boulé
- Ekklesiaterion: meeting place for the ekklesía
- Empórion: the market and
- the temples in an outstanding location.

3. The buildings for entertainment, such as theatres, used to be located on the slope of the acropolis. Do you know why? The gymnasium and stadium were normally outside the city, due to the large amount of land required. Arcades were a must in these sport and cultural buildings.

4. The cemeteries or necropolis were normally on the main roads to the entrance of the city.