The city gates in the ancient Near East were elaborate structures designed to control traffic and facilitate the defence of the town. It included benches for the elders to sit upon from which they could adjudicate matters.1 The city gate was thus a place of business, politics, and discussion.
4 He shall flee to one of these cities and shall stand at the entrance of the gate of the city and explain his case to the elders of that city. Then they shall take him into the city and give him a place, and he shall remain with them.