Odeon - Teatro Piccolo (Small Theater), Pompei
The Odeon theater in Pompeii is also known as Teatro Piccolo. Back in the Roman times, it was colloquially referred to by locals as theatrum tectum (鈥渞oofed theater鈥�), for its four-pitched tiled roof.
The theater was built during the early years of the Roman colony, around 80-75 BC, and had a seating capacity of about 1,500. The construction was commissioned by the two local magistrates (duumvirs), Marcus Porcius and Caius Quinctius Valgus, who also facilitated the construction of the Amphitheater.
The venue was well designed for poetry recitals, operas and other musical performances, allowing every sound uttered on the stage to be heard in each part of the building. Largely adding to the acoustics was the roof. The Odeon is also said to have been used for mime shows, the most popular theatrical genre of the time.
This perfectly-balanced, Greek-style structure used to have four lower rows separated from the upper 17 rows by a high parapet, of which now only the left part (relative to the stage) has remained. It was richly decorated with multicolored marbles, whereas large male tuff figures (telamones) supported the steps. Remarkably, the plaster of the external masonry retains many graffiti left by the ancient spectators. Some of the people are believed to have traveled many miles from distant parts of the country to see the shows here.
The site was excavated in two phases, starting from 1769 and then in 1792-1795.
The theater was built during the early years of the Roman colony, around 80-75 BC, and had a seating capacity of about 1,500. The construction was commissioned by the two local magistrates (duumvirs), Marcus Porcius and Caius Quinctius Valgus, who also facilitated the construction of the Amphitheater.
The venue was well designed for poetry recitals, operas and other musical performances, allowing every sound uttered on the stage to be heard in each part of the building. Largely adding to the acoustics was the roof. The Odeon is also said to have been used for mime shows, the most popular theatrical genre of the time.
This perfectly-balanced, Greek-style structure used to have four lower rows separated from the upper 17 rows by a high parapet, of which now only the left part (relative to the stage) has remained. It was richly decorated with multicolored marbles, whereas large male tuff figures (telamones) supported the steps. Remarkably, the plaster of the external masonry retains many graffiti left by the ancient spectators. Some of the people are believed to have traveled many miles from distant parts of the country to see the shows here.
The site was excavated in two phases, starting from 1769 and then in 1792-1795.
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Odeon - Teatro Piccolo (Small Theater) on Map
Sight Name: Odeon - Teatro Piccolo (Small Theater)
Sight Location: Pompei, Italy (See walking tours in Pompei)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Pompei, Italy (See walking tours in Pompei)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Pompei, Italy
Create Your Own Walk in Pompei
Creating your own self-guided walk in Pompei is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Pompeii Introduction Walk I
Modern-day Pompei is best known for its ancient predecessor, the Roman city of Pompeii, that fell victim to the massive eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. The ruins of Pompeii, first uncovered in the late 18th century, were declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1997. Presently, this is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Italy, drawing annually up to 2.5 million visitors.
The... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.0 Km or 1.2 Miles
The... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.0 Km or 1.2 Miles
Pompeii Introduction Walk II
Frozen at the moment it was buried under the thick blanket of ash and pumice, the city of Pompeii (now excavated) remains a unique window into the past, offering a snapshot of everyday life back in the 1st century AD Roman Empire. Aside from causing quick and unexpected death to the city, the huge eruption of Vesuvius in 79 AD did have one positive outcome 鈥� it preserved everything (properties,... view more
Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles
Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles