Odeon of Pericles, Ancient musical theater at Acropolis foot, Athens, Greece

The Odeon of Pericles stood at the southeastern foot of the Acropolis, beside the entrance to the Theatre of Dionysus. It was square rather than round, with a roof carried on 90 internal pillars set in nine rows of ten, and a stage wall painted with a fixed decoration. Only its foundations were uncovered by excavation.

The structure was built in 435 BC and destroyed during Sulla's siege of Athens in 87-86 BC. It was later reconstructed under Ariobarzanes II of Cappadocia.

The theater hosted musical contests during the Panathenaea festival and contained an orchestra space for choruses and storage rooms for ceremonial items.

The foundations lie beside the entrance to the Theatre of Dionysus, on the southeastern slope of the Acropolis, within the archaeological area of the south slope. Modern excavation exposed the 90 internal pillar bases in nine rows of ten; look for these stone footings on the ground rather than standing walls. Access follows the south slope paths, and the ground is uneven.

The roof was constructed from timber salvaged from captured Persian ships and formed a square pyramid shape. This unusual design using recycled war materials made the building stand out among other known odeons.