The Roman Agora, a project financed by Augustus and the family of Herod Atticus during 19 – 11 BC, proves this two-way relationship. It was constructed mainly for mercantile purposes and featured a large rectangular courtyard surrounded by stoas, shops and warehouses. The courtyard was paved with large marble slabs during Hadrian’s rule; some of these slabs were inscribed with texts by Marcus Aurelius, as they had originally been used for other purposes.
