Odeum

odeum

Comparatively small, often semicircular roofed theater of ancient Greece and Rome used for musical performances. One still in use was built by Herodes Atticus at the base of the Athenian Acropolis (AD 161). Odea were constructed in most cities of the Roman empire for use as assembly halls as well as for performances. See also amphitheater.

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odeum, odeon

odeum, Athens

A small ancient Greek or Roman theater, usually roofed, for musical performances.

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Odeum 

a building intended primarily for performances by singers.

The first odeum, designed by Ictinus, was built by Pericles at the Acropolis in Athens in 440 B.C. Usually round, odeums were frequently enclosed within a square, roofed building. In Rome an open type of odeum was common.

REFERENCE

Broneer, O. The Odeum. [Cambridge, Mass.] 1932.