The agora was the hub of Palmyrene life, the city's most important meeting space, used for public discussion and as a market where caravans unloaded their wares and engaged in the trade that brought the desert oasis its wealth. What remains today is a clearly defined courtyard measuring 84m by 71m. Numerous pillars survive to indicate that the central area was once enclosed by porticoes on all four sides and that the pillars carried statues.
The dedications reveal that the portico on the north held statues of Palmyrene and Roman officials, the eastern one had senators, the western portico was for military officers, while on the south side, merchants and caravan leaders were honoured. Sadly, today no statues remain and most of the pillars are small stumps.
