Agora Basilica of Smyrna

Agora Basilica of Smyrna, one of the monumental examples of Roman Architecture in Western Anatolia, is found on the northern side in the Agora of Smyrna. Basilica?s main function is juridical and commercial however it is also a prestige building.Basilica, 170 meters long, 29 meters wide and 20 meters high, is the main focal point in the agora; both architecturally and intellectually. Building rises 3 stories on top of a basement floor with 4 galleries; basement floor?s main function is to serve as a platform. Basement floor?s connection with the agora courtyard is limited; its connection with the North Street is more pronounced. First floor of the building consists of 3 galleries. Central nave, wider and higher than side naves, directs the attention to the tribunalis on the west end of the central nave. Second floors over side naves are used to create additional space inside the building as well as serving as balconies to the agora courtyard. With its central nave?s red coloumns and arches between those coloumns a contrast has been created inside the building. The propylon and the decoration of the building façade serve to separate the basilica from other buildings in the agora. Agora Basilica of Smyrna provides us with valuable information in the historical and architectural development of Asiatic Basilicas which are derived from the Western Basilicas.Building has been raised on top of arches in the basement floor after the earthquake in A.D. 178. and while the majority of the remains seen on site today are the result of the rebuilding phase after the earthquake in A.D. 178 building itself dates back to 3. century B.C. Keywords: Basilica, Civil Basilica, Smyrna, Agora, Roman architecture