The court of Heliaia (enclosure)
The space it occupies in combination with its position, indicate that it was a public building, probably he court of Heliaia.
Modern and Contemporary era (1821 - )
Ottoman era (1453- 1821)
Byzantine era (331 AC- 1453)
Roman era (30 BC- 330 AC)
Hellenistic era (322- 31 BC)
In the 2nd century BC, a roof was placed on the old fenced open space.
Classical era (478-323 BC)
In the 4th century BC, rooms on the west side were added and a klepsydra (water hourglass) was constructed.
Archaic era (800-479 BC)
It was built in the late 6th- early 5th centuries BC. We do not know anything about additional subsequent structures.
Geometric era (-1100- 800 BC)
Prehistory (-1100 BC)
What I can see
On the southwestern side of the Ancient Agora we see a square enclosure, which can be accessed from the five steps on its northern side. On the eastern side there was a smaller entrance. So far, written sources do not provide any information about the building. All we know is what we have learned from archaeological findings and any conclusions are open to debate.
What I can't see
Based on its architecture, the building could have been a sanctuary or a temple. However, the absence of an altar or any offerings does not support this hypothesis. The wall was probably high enough to deter intruders. The space it occupies in combination with its position, indicate that it was a public building, probably a court house, because of its large number of members who would have needed a large building to cover their needs (821 sq.m.). If this hypothesis is correct, then this enclosure once housed the Heliaia, the main Athens court. The Heliaia was a jury court where all Athenian citizens over the age of 30 were allowed to participate. There were a total of 6,000 judges working in smaller departments.
Bibliography
http://www.eie.gr/archaeologia/gr/02_DELTIA/Heliaia.aspx
Last visit 9/9/2013
Kalogeropoulou A, (1972), Η Ηλιαία, [Iliea], in “The history of greek nation“, v.C2, Athens: Ekdotiki Athinon.
Thompson H.A., Wycherley R.E., (1972), The Athenian Agora, results of excavations conducted by the American School of Classical Studies at Athens, v.6, The Agora of Athens, the History, shape and uses of an ancient city center, The American School of Classical Studies at Athens, Princeton, New Jersey
