Stoa Basileios

Basileios Stoa (also Basiliké Stoà or Royal Stoa) was a stoa constructed in the 5th century BC. It was located in the northwest corner (known as "the Herms" because of the great number of Herms set up there) of the Athenian Agora. The Royal Stoa was the headquarters of King Archon and of the Areios Pagos council (in charge of religious affairs and crime). A statue of Themis (representing Justice) stands in front of the building. Copies of the city laws were kept in this Stoa. The front of the building was where Socrates met Euthyphro and had the conversation, which Plato recreated in his "Euthyphro". It was also where Socrates was formally charged with impiety by Meletus. It has been thought that the votes for the political practice of ostracism that took place in Athens during the 5th century BC may have taken place in front of the Royal Stoa.