Which ancient civilization established the most extensive network of standardized marketplaces (agoras) as part of their imperial retail expansion strategy?

Before digital storefronts and modern retail, ancient civilizations created sophisticated commercial systems that would influence trade for millennia. The strategic expansion of marketplaces often reflected imperial ambitions and cultural exchange networks. This trivia question explores how ancient civilizations approached retail expansion as a tool for economic and political dominance.

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Roman Empire with their forum-based commercial centers
Ancient Greeks through their colonization-driven agora system
Mesopotamian city-states with their ziggurat-adjacent bazaars
Ancient Egyptians with their Nile-centered trading posts