ABSTRACT
The close proximity of the agora to the palace is an indication of the new political forces which dominated the cities of Greece in the Hellenistic period. The original Hellenistic city was confined to the eastern bank of the River Orontes, but was progressively enlarged by the successors of Seleucus I and the Romans. The large Hellenistic agora had a lower level on its southern side where the ground fell away to the harbour. Monumental market buildings became a common feature of cities in the Hellenistic period and indicate the importance of the economic basis on which the success of these cities was founded. The water supply to the Hellenistic city was no less impressive. Pergamon represents the pinnacle of Hellenistic urban design. Developments in Hellenistic planning were not confined to the monumentalisation of the traditional Greek city. The fourth-century/Hellenistic building complex which occupies the acropolis of Lindos on Rhodes was also axially arranged.
