Commercial Agora (Tetragonos Agora), Ephesus
The Commercial Agora of Ephesus, also known as the Tetragonos Agora, or Lower Agora, was the bustling heart of trade in the ancient city. Strategically located near the harbor, it was a nearly square market space measuring 111 meters per side. Constructed originally in the Hellenistic period around the 3rd century BCE, the agora was continuously reshaped and expanded over centuries, particularly during the reign of Augustus. With its three main gates鈥攊ncluding the impressive Gate of Mazaeus and Mithridates鈥攊t allowed easy access from multiple directions and stood close to iconic landmarks such as the Celsus Library and the theatre.
Surrounded by double-storied colonnaded porticoes, the agora was home to about a hundred rooms that functioned as shops, workshops, warehouses, and guild meeting spaces. Statues of orators, philosophers, and public figures adorned the porticoes, reflecting the city's rich cultural and commercial life. Archaeological excavations revealed multiple building phases, uncovering remnants of early settlements beneath the agora, including clay-walled homes and kilns from the 8th to 4th centuries BCE. These findings suggest the site had long been an active part of Ephesus, possibly even linked to its legendary Amazonian founder, Smyrna.
The Commercial Agora also held historical significance in early Christianity. It is believed that the Apostle Paul worked there as a tentmaker with Aquila and Priscilla around 53鈥�56 AD. The agora鈥檚 proximity to the harbor may explain why Paul later avoided Ephesus during his travels, fearing tensions after denouncing local artisans who sold silver shrines of Artemis. A notable feature of the agora was its horologion鈥攁n elaborate solar and water clock used not only to tell time but also to regulate speaking time during court proceedings.
Renovated during the reigns of Nero, Caracalla, and Theodosius I, the agora endured several earthquakes and remained in use until the 7th century CE. Although its commercial functions declined, it continued to serve as a hub for workshops, including glassmakers. A poignant inscription discovered there honors a market supervisor who prevented a bread price increase, underscoring the agora鈥檚 vital role in civic life. Once home to the second-largest slave market of the ancient world, the Commercial Agora stands today as a powerful testament to Ephesus鈥檚 economic, social, and religious history.
Surrounded by double-storied colonnaded porticoes, the agora was home to about a hundred rooms that functioned as shops, workshops, warehouses, and guild meeting spaces. Statues of orators, philosophers, and public figures adorned the porticoes, reflecting the city's rich cultural and commercial life. Archaeological excavations revealed multiple building phases, uncovering remnants of early settlements beneath the agora, including clay-walled homes and kilns from the 8th to 4th centuries BCE. These findings suggest the site had long been an active part of Ephesus, possibly even linked to its legendary Amazonian founder, Smyrna.
The Commercial Agora also held historical significance in early Christianity. It is believed that the Apostle Paul worked there as a tentmaker with Aquila and Priscilla around 53鈥�56 AD. The agora鈥檚 proximity to the harbor may explain why Paul later avoided Ephesus during his travels, fearing tensions after denouncing local artisans who sold silver shrines of Artemis. A notable feature of the agora was its horologion鈥攁n elaborate solar and water clock used not only to tell time but also to regulate speaking time during court proceedings.
Renovated during the reigns of Nero, Caracalla, and Theodosius I, the agora endured several earthquakes and remained in use until the 7th century CE. Although its commercial functions declined, it continued to serve as a hub for workshops, including glassmakers. A poignant inscription discovered there honors a market supervisor who prevented a bread price increase, underscoring the agora鈥檚 vital role in civic life. Once home to the second-largest slave market of the ancient world, the Commercial Agora stands today as a powerful testament to Ephesus鈥檚 economic, social, and religious history.
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Commercial Agora (Tetragonos Agora) on Map
Sight Name: Commercial Agora (Tetragonos Agora)
Sight Location: Ephesus, Turkey (See walking tours in Ephesus)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Ephesus, Turkey (See walking tours in Ephesus)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Ephesus, Turkey
Create Your Own Walk in Ephesus
Creating your own self-guided walk in Ephesus is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Ephesus Introduction Walking Tour
Ephesus, the most important Greek city in Ionian Asia Minor, the ruins of which lie near the modern village of Sel茍uk in western Turkey. Ephesus is one of the largest and most impressive ancient cities in the world and is one of T眉rkiye鈥檚 most significant ancient cities. Its cultural and historical significance was highlighted in its addition to the UNESCO World Heritage Site list in 2015. The... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.0 Km or 0.6 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.0 Km or 0.6 Miles
Selcuk Introduction Walking Tour
Sel莽uk is a town near Izmir, in western Turkey. It鈥檚 the gateway to Ephesus, a vast, ancient city with the remains of a large theater and the Library of Celsus. South is the House of Virgin Mary, a domed chapel and religious shrine. Near Sel莽uk, a marble column is one of a few remains of the Temple of Artemis. The Ephesus Museum has more items from the temple, plus other artifacts excavated... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.3 Km or 2.1 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.3 Km or 2.1 Miles