Editing Pergamon (section)

===Open spaces===
From the beginning of the reign of Philetairos, civic events in Pergamon were concentrated on the Acropolis. Over time the so-called 'Upper agora' was developed at the south end of this. In the reign of Attalos I, a Temple of Zeus was built there.<ref>Wolfgang Radt: ''Pergamon: Geschichte und Bauten einer antiken Metropole''. Darmstadt 1999, p. 93.</ref> To the north of this structure there was a multi-story building, which propbably had a function connected to the marketplace.<ref>Wolfgang Radt: ''Pergamon: Geschichte und Bauten einer antiken Metropole''. Darmstadt 1999, p. 90.</ref> With progressive development of the open space, these buildings were demolished, while the Upper Agora itself took on a more strongly commercial function, while still a special space as a result of the temple of Zeus. In the course of the expansion of the city under Eumenes, the commercial character of the Upper Agora was further developed. The key signs of this development are primarily the halls built under Eumenes II, whose back chambers were probably used for trade.<ref>Klaus Rheidt, "Die Obere Agora. Zur Entwicklung des hellenistischen Stadtzentrums von Pergamon." ''Istanbuler Mitteilungen.'' Vol. 42 (1992) p. 263.</ref> In the west, the 'West Chamber' was built which might have served as a market administration building.<ref>Klaus Rheidt, "Die Obere Agora. Zur Entwicklung des hellenistischen Stadtzentrums von Pergamon." ''Istanbuler Mitteilungen.'' Vol. 42 (1992) p. 264.</ref> After these renovations, the Upper Agora thus served as a centre for trade and spectacle in the city.<ref>[[Ruth Bielfeldt]], "Wo nur sind die Bürger von Pergamon? Eine Phänomenologie bürgerlicher Unscheinbarkeit im städtischen Raum der Königsresidenz." ''Istanbuler Mitteilungen.'' Vol. 60 (2010) pp. 117–201.</ref>

Because of significant new construction in the immediate vicinity – the renovation of the Sanctuary of Athena and the Pergamon altar and the redesign of the neighbouring area - the design and organisational principle of the Upper Agora underwent a further change.<ref>Klaus Rheidt, "Die Obere Agora. Zur Entwicklung des hellenistischen Stadtzentrums von Pergamon." ''Istanbuler Mitteilungen.'' Vol. 42 (1992) p. 266-7.</ref> Its character became much more spectacular and focussed on the two new structures looming over it, especially the altar which was visible on its terrace from below since the usual [[stoa]] surrounding it was omitted from the design.<ref>Klaus Rheidt, "Die Obere Agora. Zur Entwicklung des hellenistischen Stadtzentrums von Pergamon." ''Istanbuler Mitteilungen.'' Vol. 42 (1992) p. 267.</ref>

The 80 m long and 55 m wide 'Lower Agora' was built under Eumenes II and was not significantly altered until Late Antiquity.<ref>Wolfgang Radt: ''Pergamon: Geschichte und Bauten einer antiken Metropole''. Darmstadt 1999, p. 87.</ref> As with the Upper Agora, the rectangular form of the agora was adapted to the steep terrain. The construction consisted in total of three levels. Of these the Upper Level and the 'Main Level' opened onto a central courtyard. On the lower level there were rooms only on the south and east sides because of the slope of the land, which led through a colonnade to the exterior of the space.<ref>W. Dörpfeld, "Die Arbeiten zu Pergamon 1901–1902. Die Bauwerke," ''Athenische Mitteilungen'' 1902.</ref> The whole market area extended over two levels with a large columned hall in the centre, which contained small shop spaces and miscellaneous rooms.<ref>Wolfgang Radt: ''Pergamon: Geschichte und Bauten einer antiken Metropole''. Darmstadt 1999, p. 89.</ref>