If Rome conquered Athens, then Athens captured the hearts and minds of the Romans, thanks to the ancient Greek spirit, prompting them to enhance the city and improve its infrastructure. 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. To uncover the Roman Agora, not only were houses demolished but also the street was cut off. Nevertheless, the current picture of the monument corresponds to half of its original size, with the remaining still buried beneath the houses.