Starting point: Ancient Agora, 10:00*

1st Stop: Entrance to the Ancient Agora

Accompanied by a museum educator and tour guide, the group enters the Ancient Agora and is introduced to ancient Athens (c. 5th century BC) and the significance of its legacy to the modern world, with particular emphasis on the birth of democracy.

As the group explores the grounds, the Agora itself is introduced and the group learns about its multiple roles as a market, meeting place, and, thanks to its many temples and shrines, hub for worship.

Young guests will get the chance to learn about and try out some games from antiquity—not unlike games children still play today—that young Athenians once played on the very spot.

2nd Stop: Temple of Hephaestus

The next stop is the Temple of Hephaestus, formerly also known Theseion. Built in the 5th century BCE, the temple is dedicated to Hephaestus, god of metal working and craftsmanship, and features reliefs depicting the story of the hero Theseus and his fight against the Minotaur.

3rd Stop: Stoa of Attalos

In the shade of the Stoa of Attalos, the group will pause to talk about the work of archaeologists. Whilst learning about excavations and unearthing objects from the past, young guests will also have the opportunity to assemble their own replica Iynx, a simple toy that was popular amongst children in antiquity.

The stoa itself is also a reconstruction—originally built around 150 BCE, destroyed by the Heruli in 267 CE, and rebuilt as a faithful replica of the original in the 1950s with contributions from American donors, including John D. Rockefeller Jr.—and is a perfect setting in whichto further discuss the archaeological process of excavating, unearthing, and contextualising 

4th Stop: Museum of the Agora

The last stop is the Museum of the Ancient Agora, which is also housed in the reconstructed stoa. Here, the group will view and discuss items that were once part of Athenian children’s lives, such as a toy horse with clay wheels, as well as items from the museum’s exhibits Athenian democracy.

Ending point: Ancient Agora, 12:00*

* Optional private transfer to and from the meeting point is available upon request.