Square Peristyle

The Square Peristyle is the modern name for a structure on the east side of the Ancient Agora of Athens, which was among the largest peristyles built in Classical Greece [1]. Construction began around 300 BC, but was abandoned ca. 285-275 BC, leaving the structure unfinished [1]. It probably served as Athens' law courts at the beginning of the Hellenistic period, but fell out of use [1]. In the early second century BC the building was demolished and the material was reused in South Stoa II, on the southern side of the Agora [1]. The Stoa of Attalos was subsequently built over the top of its foundations [1]. Traces of the structure were revealed by American excavations in the 1950s, but were covered over shortly thereafter when the Stoa of Attalos was rebuilt [1].