Odeon of Agrippa, Ancient Roman theater in Ancient Agora, Greece

The Odeon of Agrippa is a rectangular hall measuring 51.40 by 43.20 metres in the centre of the Ancient Agora of Athens, with a circular cavea of nineteen rows of seats holding about 1,000 spectators. A raised stage and a marble-paved orchestra stood inside, lit by openings high in the walls and a double colonnade of six Corinthian columns at the rear. Corinthian pilasters decorated the exterior.

Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa commissioned this theater between 16 and 14 BC as a center for public entertainment. The roof collapsed around 150 AD, prompting the Romans to rebuild it with new decorative features.

This space hosted music performances and lectures where audiences gathered to listen and experience entertainment together. The rebuilt structure featured elaborate decorative columns with mythological figures that expressed the artistic values of the time.

The site is located within the Agora complex and is accessible along with other ruins, with paths running through the archaeological area. Visiting works best during cooler morning hours since there is little shade and the grounds are largely exposed.

The giant and triton figures on the north facade were not new carvings: their torsos were reused from the pedimental sculptures of the Parthenon. When a palace was built on the site in the early 5th century AD, these same pillars were moved to form its monumental entrance.