Stoas were covered colonnaded buildings that varied in size. They could be a place for council meetings, law courts, offices, shops, storerooms, or informal meetings. The word "Stoic"" derives from stoa. Stoicism was the most influential philosophy in the Roman Empire before the rise of Christianity. Zeno (335-263 B.C.E.), the founder of Stoicism, met his students in the Stoa Poikile ("Painted Porch") in Athens. The name of the philosophy was inspired by the place where it began.
(STO·a) portico in Greek and Roman architecture.
Long colonnaded structure with a wall on one side, where people traditionally met to talk and conduct business.
a porch-like building open on three sides under which merchants display their goods
A portico or detached colonnade.
A long, columned building used as a meeting place and shelter in ancient Greece that was usually in an Agora.
Science and Technology Assessments Office of the European Parliament; the body commissioning this report
A long building with one side opening through a colonnade.
Greek long, shallow building open on one long side, fronted by a colonnade
a long, narrow, columned structure of one or two floors, usually fronting on an agora and housing various administrative offices.
An ancient Greek covered walk or colonnade, usually having columns on one side and a wall on the other.
a public space in which a colonnade provided a shaded walkway
Stoa (plural, stoae or stoæ) in Ancient Greek architecture; covered walkways or porticos, commonly for public usage. Early stoae were open at the entrance with columns lining the side of the building, creating an enveloping, protective atmosphere and were usually of Doric order. Later examples consisted of mainly two storeys, with a roof supporting the inner colonnades where shops or sometimes offices were located and followed Ionic architecture.