Messene Odeion

THE #ODEION AT #MESSENE #odeion #messene

Whats left of most Greek and Roman Odeions makes them look like smaller versions of theatres however descriptions left by Pausanias and other writers suggests most of them were covered and had much more elaborate backstage structures. Instead of the well known Athenian Odeion I'm going to show you the two best photos I could find of the lesser known Odeion at Messene's ancient capital on Mt Ithome.

Some books describe this as a theatre and some experts think it was used for rituals but there is no trace of an altar and it certainly follows the standard Odeion format and placement. Near other public buildings and a fan shape with raised seating. It also has retained its tiled flooring perhaps because of the remoteness of Mt Ithome?

Perhaps as I speculated before theatres and odeions was used for a variety of events between major cultural or religious festivals. Homeric recitals? Rehearsals of new plays? Choral performances combining dance and song. Public Oratory? Oratory Training. There are many possibilities.