- Stoa Poikile
The Stoa Poikile (
Ancient Greek : ή ποικίλη στοά) or Painted Porch, originally called the Porch of Peisianax (Ancient Greek: ή Πεισιανάκτειος στοά), was erected during the5th century BC and was located on the north side of theAncient Agora of Athens . TheStoa was the location from whichZeno of Citium taughtStoicism . The philosophical school of Stoicism takes its name having first been expounded here, having derived from the word "stoa". Most of his teachings and lectures to his followers were made from this porch.The Stoa Poikile was decorated by fresco painter and sculptor Micon of Athens in collaboration with Polygnotos of Thasos; both artists worked around the mid-5th Century BC. In the time of Pausanias (2nd century AD), the paintings in the Stoa included: [Smith, William (ed.) "Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology". Boston & London: Little & Brown, 1870, p. 466, entry "Polygnotus".]
* The Battle ofOenoe (author unknown)
*Amazonomachy byMicon
* The taking ofTroy byPolygnotus
* TheBattle of Marathon byPanaenus (also ascribed to Micon and Polygnotus who may have assisted in the work)What is striking about the Stoa Poikile is the contrast between the mythical and historical events portrayed. Depictions of Theseus' victory over the Amazonians and the Fall of Troy contrast sharply with the portrayal of the Battle of Oinoe — the first important Athenian victory over
Sparta — and theBattle of Marathon . The Battle of Marathon features most predominantly and as such, displays the confidence and identity of the Athenians in the wake of thePersian Wars , particularly when compared to the two great mythical victories identified above.References
External links
* [http://www.iep.utm.edu/ancillaries/small-articles/stoa.htm Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy — "The Stoa"]
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