Athenians exchanged goods at a huge marketplace called the agora, where merchants sold their goods from small stands. Athenians purchased lettuce, onions, olive oil, and other foods. Shoppers could also buy household items such as pottery, furniture, and clay oil lamps. Most Athenians made their clothes at home, but leather sandals and jewelry were popular items at the market. The agora was also the place where the Athenians bought and sold people.
Similar to most other city-states, Athens developed its own coins—crafted from metals such as gold, silver, and bronze—to make trade easier. Athenians decorated the flat sides of their coins. One such coin had an image of the goddess Athena, while its other side pictured Athena’s favorite bird, the owl.
