Makra Stoa

The Makra Stoa was built during the time of Pericles [1]. It was also known as the Alphitopolis Stoa, from the Greek word alphita (barley flour) [1]. The Stoa was a long building which was used for the storage of imported cereals, mainly barley and wheat [1]. The cereals were then transported to the main city of Athens for consumption [1]. The Stoa also supplied the Athenian fleet of triremes and, during times of shortage, supplied the people directly [1]. The Stoa had an open facade and colonnade on one side and on the other side had shops made up of rectangular rooms [1]. The rooms alternated between small and large sizes and each shop had a space for supplying cereals and a grain storage area [1].