Il settore meridionale dell’agora/forum di Segesta: un esempio di compromesso tra pianificazione urbanistica, gestione della viabilità ed esigenze commerciali

Recent archaeological investigations along the southern side of the agora/forum of Segesta have allowed for a clearer definition of a very interesting planimetric organisation, illustrating the articulated urban development of the Segestan public square between the 1st century bc and the 1st century ad. In particular, the macellum, built at the beginning of the 1st century ad, and the highly probable presence of a series of tabernae, contributed to shape this area of the agora/forum from a monumental point of view. In this sense, a key role was played by new urban needs, mainly oriented by economic and commercial elements. After a description of the most recent acquisitions derived from the fieldwork activity, this paper aims at presenting and interpreting the archaeological remains in the wider context of other contemporary urban experiences, both in Sicily and the Mediterranean.