Street of an Ancient Market Place


Street in Agora, Ancient Historic Site, Izmir, Turkey December 13, 2015 Agora, ancient market place, was first built in the 4th century BC to the north of Pagos (Kadifekale) where Smyrna was moved after Bayrakli. Like all other Agoras of the ancient world, it was a meeting place for all commercial, political, and religious activities for the local people. It was surrounded mostly by state buildings on a rectangular plan with a large central courtyard and a covered stoa around it. The agora was destroyed several times by strong earthquakes and it was rebuilt after each one of them, final restoration was done by Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius when a major earthquake hit the city in 178 AD. Northern and western stoas have been excavated including their basements, and a large 165 x 28 m basilica has been found on the northern stoa. One of the main streets of Smyrna city was cutting through the agora dividing it in two equal parts, and there were entrance gates at both ends. The excavation works are still ongoing at the agora for the basilica and a part of the eastern stoa. http://www.allaboutturkey.com/izm_site.htm

Street in Agora, Ancient Historic Site, Izmir, Turkey – December 13, 2015 Agora, ancient market place, was first built in the 4th century BC to the north of Pagos (Kadifekale) where Smyrna was moved after Bayrakli. Like all other Agoras of the ancient world, it was a meeting place for all commercial, political, and religious activities for the local people. It was surrounded mostly by state buildings on a rectangular plan with a large central courtyard and a covered stoa around it. The agora was destroyed several times by strong earthquakes and it was rebuilt after each one of them, final restoration was done by Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius when a major earthquake hit the city in 178 AD. Northern and western stoas have been excavated including their basements, and a large 165 x 28 m basilica has been found on the northern stoa. One of the main streets of Smyrna city was cutting through the agora dividing it in two equal parts, and there were entrance gates at both ends. The excavation works are still ongoing at the agora for the basilica and a part of the eastern stoa. Cited from http://www.allaboutturkey.com/izm_site.htm

 Category: History, Street Photography, Turkey      Tagged: , , , , , , , , , ,

36 Comments on “Street of an Ancient Market Place”

  2. Love the angle. Did you get many people staring at you as you lay on the ground?

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    • Thanks Emilio, but no lying on the floor – although the camera was. It seemed to be the best way to get a much of the image in. Somehow the restorers would not have appreciated me moving piles of rock to get further back.

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  4. The cities built by ancient civilisations never cease to amaze and fascinate me. What they did without our modern technology and that it still stands today, only ravaged by nature’s forces. This is a wonderful shot.

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  5. Splendid capture of the muted shades and textures along with the various lines and curves. It could have so easily become a mishmash, but you pulled out the perfect angle.

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    • Vince, thank you. The space seemed to lend itself to a wide angle and a very low perspective.
      Happy New Year and may all of your images to successful.
      Tim

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      • Well done, Tim. Would have been rather nice if there was someone in the picture. But as I know, that is not always possible.

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      • Excellent. The next time I’ll call you. Actually that would be fun. My wife and I are looking at a possible trip to Tasmania in 2017 as part of her Fulbright Foundation work. I’ll keep you posted.

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      • Wonderful Tasmania is a long, long way from the Gold Coast. (Apparently I’ll be going to Tassie to shoot pictures in a few months).

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      • I’ve only been to Sydney and that was in the 1960s while in the Navy. Does that date me a bit?
        I’ll look forward to seeing your pictures from Tassie.

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    • Thank you. This image seems to have captured a lot of attention. If I’ve not done so, Happy New Year to you and yours. May your image continue to be fantastic.

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