The Altar of Zeus Agoraios (meaning Zeus of the Agora) is a 4th century BC altar located north-west of the Ancient Agora of Athens, constructed from white marble, 9 m deep and 5.5 m wide. It was one of the first objects to be discovered inside the Agora during the excavations of 1931. Evidence of marks done by masons from the Augustan period show that it was moved from an initial source later identified as the Pnyx located outside the ancient Agora.
An ancient scholar noted, "it may not be coincidence that Zeus, whose special task it was to govern the political assemblies of the Athenians, should depart the Pnyx at just the time when Augustus is said to have curtailed sharply the powers of those same assemblies."
Famous quotes containing the words altar of, altar and/or zeus:
“You need make for me only an altar of earth and sacrifice...”
—Bible: Hebrew, Exodus 20:24.
“My generation, dear Ron, swore on the Altar of God that whoever proclaims the intent of destroying the Jewish state or the Jewish people, or both, seals his fate.”
—Menachem Begin (1913–1992)
“Zeus is the air, Zeus the earth, Zeus all things and what transcends them all.”
—Aeschylus (525–456 B.C.)