The Agora
The reference for the rest of the cities and Polis of Theros, except perhaps Setessa, the Agora Magna, or simply Agora of Meletis, is a magnificent exponent of what civilization means. Surrounded by unique buildings and always crowded with merchants from the most distant points, this is the place where to deal with important, or more trivial matters, where to be seen and taught, where to complain about the government or run for office, where to buy and sell, and not only for Meletis, but for almost all mankind. The great esplanade is delimited somewhat artificially by several stoas, temples with an administrative character and to the south by the Pyrgnos, the Temple of the Knowledge of Ephara.
Stalls of all kinds of products are everywhere variegated with multicolored canopies, under the same stoas and surrounding the temples of Ephara Nomos and Ephara Agorea. These two temples of the patron saint of the city are also important centers of the administrative functioning of the city. The temple of Ephara Nomos serves as the city’s court, and its priests are held as judges guided by the justice of the goddess herself. There are always disputes to be raised and the queues to be heard can put many off minor matters. Her priests, the dikastes, often travel to cities and villages throughout the peninsula resolving legal disputes throughout their lives. After a life as judges throughout the Polis, the wisest and oldest of them end up leading the temple with the acquiescence of the other priests, in a triad whose resolutions are taken into account even beyond the polis of Meletis itself. Currently the triad is formed by Aegon of Thesteia, Iphania “Three Coins” and the very old Siliates the Benevolent, with a career of more than 60 years behind him, and dozens of reputed law books written. The temple of Ephara Agorea also has a dual religious and administrative function, but mostly of a commercial nature. Its priests control accompanied by members of the Reverent Army that the deals of the Agora are not abusive, and that no deals are closed against the rights of any citizen. Their work often becomes tedious considering the amount of disagreements and trivialities for which they are required, and their reputation as arbitrators makes them rather unpopular despite their good disposition. The highest priest remains in the temple attending worship and is in charge of setting commodity prices along with some member of The Twelve when these seem to be manipulated by the abuse of some overly ambitious merchant. At least one sample of each wholesale commodity is brought before the altar of the goddess before it can be allowed to be sold in the Agora, and serves as a sample for the priest to check its suitability.
The center of the enclosure houses the Fountain of the divine Banquet, the largest in all of Theros, and with always crystal clear waters. Five priestesses of the Pantheon, previously purified and immersed in the water of the fountain, are in charge of bringing to the table of the gods the food and drink offered by the citizens, and keep the altar clean.
Fresh, manufactured and imported products, from weapons to fruits, fabrics and even magical objects can be found in the agora. Among the most famous stalls are those of Karedon the younger, a member of a long line of merchants with a huge stall here and another in the artisan quarter, with a variety of manufactured goods brought from all over the peninsula, highlighting the fabrics of Neolantin, much in demand for their varied blue dyes. Ironeas the satyr has made a niche for himself with a variety of wines brought from different regions, especially from his land in Skola, and he has no problem in offering samples of the same, sometimes turning the tasting into a competition that Ironeas usually wins. Meselia is an old and experienced merchant of different and strange objects willing to offer credits to whoever needs them, which if not paid are usually claimed by her numerous and stout grandchildren. It is also not uncommon to see the odd gray Asphodel merchant (no fixed stall, and never the same one) on a street corner exchanging their trinkets. Some merchants believe that setting up their stall next to one of these unfortunates may be bad luck, and avoid them with some trepidation.
The limits of the enclosure are overflowing with stores among which can be seen in the shade of the stoas or in the buildings of the official markets philosopher teachers accompanied by their students strolling and discussing topics among the cries of sale of the merchants. The water carriers often give free water to these teachers as a sign of admiration and recognition of their fame, and their conversations are often interrupted by greetings to city authorities. At lunchtime, the many eating places fill their seats and members of the government can be seen eating and talking to a fisherman about the catch of the day or the ins and outs of some controversial law. The agora is the place where all citizens interact in every way possible, and treat each other as equals, making the bonds of citizenship deeper and stronger. You never know when you will need your neighbor to fight a tyrant, or simply to share a skin of wine.
Stalls of all kinds of products are everywhere variegated with multicolored canopies, under the same stoas and surrounding the temples of Ephara Nomos and Ephara Agorea. These two temples of the patron saint of the city are also important centers of the administrative functioning of the city. The temple of Ephara Nomos serves as the city’s court, and its priests are held as judges guided by the justice of the goddess herself. There are always disputes to be raised and the queues to be heard can put many off minor matters. Her priests, the dikastes, often travel to cities and villages throughout the peninsula resolving legal disputes throughout their lives. After a life as judges throughout the Polis, the wisest and oldest of them end up leading the temple with the acquiescence of the other priests, in a triad whose resolutions are taken into account even beyond the polis of Meletis itself. Currently the triad is formed by Aegon of Thesteia, Iphania “Three Coins” and the very old Siliates the Benevolent, with a career of more than 60 years behind him, and dozens of reputed law books written. The temple of Ephara Agorea also has a dual religious and administrative function, but mostly of a commercial nature. Its priests control accompanied by members of the Reverent Army that the deals of the Agora are not abusive, and that no deals are closed against the rights of any citizen. Their work often becomes tedious considering the amount of disagreements and trivialities for which they are required, and their reputation as arbitrators makes them rather unpopular despite their good disposition. The highest priest remains in the temple attending worship and is in charge of setting commodity prices along with some member of The Twelve when these seem to be manipulated by the abuse of some overly ambitious merchant. At least one sample of each wholesale commodity is brought before the altar of the goddess before it can be allowed to be sold in the Agora, and serves as a sample for the priest to check its suitability.
The center of the enclosure houses the Fountain of the divine Banquet, the largest in all of Theros, and with always crystal clear waters. Five priestesses of the Pantheon, previously purified and immersed in the water of the fountain, are in charge of bringing to the table of the gods the food and drink offered by the citizens, and keep the altar clean.
Fresh, manufactured and imported products, from weapons to fruits, fabrics and even magical objects can be found in the agora. Among the most famous stalls are those of Karedon the younger, a member of a long line of merchants with a huge stall here and another in the artisan quarter, with a variety of manufactured goods brought from all over the peninsula, highlighting the fabrics of Neolantin, much in demand for their varied blue dyes. Ironeas the satyr has made a niche for himself with a variety of wines brought from different regions, especially from his land in Skola, and he has no problem in offering samples of the same, sometimes turning the tasting into a competition that Ironeas usually wins. Meselia is an old and experienced merchant of different and strange objects willing to offer credits to whoever needs them, which if not paid are usually claimed by her numerous and stout grandchildren. It is also not uncommon to see the odd gray Asphodel merchant (no fixed stall, and never the same one) on a street corner exchanging their trinkets. Some merchants believe that setting up their stall next to one of these unfortunates may be bad luck, and avoid them with some trepidation.
The limits of the enclosure are overflowing with stores among which can be seen in the shade of the stoas or in the buildings of the official markets philosopher teachers accompanied by their students strolling and discussing topics among the cries of sale of the merchants. The water carriers often give free water to these teachers as a sign of admiration and recognition of their fame, and their conversations are often interrupted by greetings to city authorities. At lunchtime, the many eating places fill their seats and members of the government can be seen eating and talking to a fisherman about the catch of the day or the ins and outs of some controversial law. The agora is the place where all citizens interact in every way possible, and treat each other as equals, making the bonds of citizenship deeper and stronger. You never know when you will need your neighbor to fight a tyrant, or simply to share a skin of wine.
Type
Market square
Parent Location
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