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Temple of Ares in Ancient Agora
Table of Contents
Introduction
Athens is a city that seamlessly blends ancient history with modern life, offering visitors a glimpse into the cradle of Western civilization. Among its many treasures, the Ancient Agora stands as a testament to Athens’ political, commercial, and religious heart.
Amid this rich historical narrative is the Temple of Ares in Ancient Agora—a structure unlike any other in Greece. Dedication to Ares, the god of war, coupled with its extraordinary relocation to the Agora centuries after its original construction, makes this temple a fascinating case of architectural and cultural evolution.
Originally Built Outside Athens and Later Moved to the Agora
The Temple of Ares in Ancient Agora is an enigma in Greek architecture. Constructed in the 5th century BCE, it was originally located in Pallene, northeast of modern-day Athens. This area, known for its military significance, likely underscored the temple’s dedication to Ares.
However, it wasn’t always associated solely with Athens’ warrior spirit. The original site may also have honored Athena Pallenis and Apollo, deities integral to the surrounding demes (districts). Fast forward to the 1st century BCE, when Athens fell under Roman rule.
The temple was dismantled and transported—stone by stone—to the Ancient Agora. This Herculean feat of engineering wasn’t a casual project. Its relocation was a deliberate Roman strategy to reorganize Athens’ landscape, blending Greek heritage with Roman priorities of governance and power.
By situating the Temple of Ares within the Agora—the city’s civic and political center—the Romans emphasized military prowess as a key pillar of Athenian life, aligning it with their own imperial values. This relocation, one of the rare examples of a temple being moved and reconstructed in antiquity, reflects the Romans’ ability to reshape not just the physical city but its identity as well.
Dedication to Ares: A Temple to Athens’ Warrior Spirit
Who Was Ares?
Ares, the Olympian god of war, embodied the raw, chaotic force of battle. Unlike Athena, who symbolized strategic warfare and wisdom, Ares was a deity of aggression, bloodshed, and unrestrained violence. While widely revered in Sparta, his role in Athens was more philosophical, representing the necessary but destructive force of war.
Architectural Features of the Temple
The Temple of Ares in Ancient Agora mirrored the Doric elegance of its time. It was a hexastyle peripteral temple, meaning it featured six columns across its front and back and was surrounded by a rectangular colonnade. Constructed from Pentelic marble, the same material used for the Parthenon, the temple radiated both strength and refinement.
Sculptural details and marble fragments suggest the temple once housed an imposing statue of Ares, likely sculpted by Alkamenes, renowned for his work in Classical Greece. The temple’s visual similarities to the Temple of Hephaestus, located nearby, reinforce its classical aesthetic.
However, the inclusion of Ares—a god of war—within the Agora tied military might directly to political and civic life.
This strategic placement wasn’t accidental; it communicated a powerful message. For the Romans, who revered Mars (Ares’ Roman counterpart), warfare wasn’t just about conquest—it was about maintaining order and authority. The Temple of Ares symbolized these ideals in its new home.
The Role of Roman Influence in Shaping the Agora
The relocation of the Temple of Ares in Ancient Agora was just one part of a larger Roman effort to redefine Athens’ Agora. Under Emperor Augustus and subsequent Roman leaders, the Agora became a blend of Greek tradition and Roman innovation.
Romanization of the Agora
- New Structures: The Odeon of Agrippa and the Roman Agora were added, reflecting Rome’s architectural priorities.
- Civic Transformation: Buildings like the Stoa of Attalos were reconstructed to accommodate new governance and trade.
- Military Focus: The Temple of Ares, along with other monuments, highlighted the importance of warfare in sustaining a strong political state.
By integrating Roman elements, Athens retained its cultural significance while aligning with the Roman Empire’s broader vision. The Temple of Ares in Ancient Agora, once a symbol of Athens’ military strength, was now also a marker of its role within the Roman world.
What Remains of the Temple of Ares in Ancient Agora Today?
Today, fragments of the Temple of Ares in Ancient Agora lie scattered across the Ancient Agora, offering visitors a chance to imagine its original grandeur.
What You’ll See:
- Foundations: The temple’s base remains in situ, illustrating its size and alignment with the surrounding Agora.
- Architectural Fragments: Column drums, marble slabs, and sculptural details are preserved, showcasing its Doric elegance.
- Nearby Structures: The Temple of Apollo Patroos and the Odeon of Agrippa provide context for the temple’s placement in civic life.
The temple’s altar fragments, located to its eastern end, hint at the rituals and ceremonies that once animated this war god’s sanctuary.
Looking Beyond the Stone
The Temple of Ares in Ancient Agora in the Ancient Agora is more than a relic of the past—it is a narrative frozen in time. Its original creation outside Athens symbolized the city’s warrior roots, while its relocation during Roman rule signaled a dramatic shift in cultural and political priorities.
Although much of the temple has vanished, its story endures, shedding light on the dynamic interplay between Greek tradition and Roman innovation. It stands as a reminder of Athens’ ability to adapt, evolve, and thrive, even when placed under the shadow of a larger empire.
