007_QV_WINT_FB1 The Ancient Agora in Athens is the late Neolithic period; the site was used by the Greeks as a housing and burial area. Later converted into the city center of ancient Athens and remained as such until the coming of the Roman and Byzantine empires. The Ancient Agora starts below the northwestern side of the Acropolis and can be followed towards the Roman Agora and Tower of the Winds. The Agora was the center of ancient Athens and served as the focal point for most of the city's civic affairs. In the 6th century BC; Peisistratus; procedures to develop it as the center of Athenian government. on the site Peisistratus developed; a new drainage system; public toilets! also beautiful fountains and the agora's first temple; which honored the Olympian Gods. Cimon as general; added trees and a series of new buildings . By the 5th century BC; other temples at the Agora in Athens had been built to honor Zeus; Apollo and Hephaestus. 3rd century BC the Agora continued to develop as a meeting center; and the city council; presidents of the council and city magistrates performed various duties there. Ancient Athens law courts also took place at the agora. By the 2nd century BC; the agora had grown impressive . The temple was dedicated to; Hephaistos and Athena. The temple was richly decorated. Also known as the Hephaisteion or Theseion; is Doric and peripheral with a pronaos and opisthodomos. In the 7th century AD it was converted to a Christian church. The Temple of Hephaistos; or Thission; is summed up basically as the most well-preserved ancient Greek temple you are going to find anywhere. WEST SIDE