The Odeon is an ancient roofed theatre, theatrum tectum, located in the theatre area of Pompeii. It is one of the main buildings in this area, the others being the Large Theatre and the Quadriporticum. Built in 80 BC, the Odeon follows the plan of other Roman theatres and odeon structures. It sat 1500 spectators and was intended for council meetings as well as entertainment.
The building has a rectangular plan and two raised tribunalia platforms above the seating that were reserved for important visitors. These platforms are cut off from the general seating completely with entrances from narrow staircases near the stage.
The stage featured five entrances on the back wall, including a large palatial double door at the centre with two smaller double doors on either side. Opposite this is a doorway opening up to the street. Behind the stage is a long dressing room, or postscaenium. Modern computer reconstructions have demonstrated optimal acoustic quality in the roofed theatre, specifically citing the setting as ideal for song and music from weaker instruments like the lyre.
Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons
Written by Nicolo Ciampini
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