Odeon of Agrippas
The decorative forms of the north side of the Odeon of Agrippas are Tritons and Giants.
Modern and Contemporary era (1821 - )
Ottoman era (1453- 1821)
Byzantine era (331 AC- 1453)
Roman era (30 BC- 330 AC)
15 BC The conservatory (odeon) of Agrippa was built.
150- 175 AD The roof collapsed and was rebuilt, while later the conservatory was used as a lecture hall.
267 AD The odeon was destroyed by the Heruli.
400 AD The Gymnasium was built and the statues of Tritons and Giants were reused.
Hellenistic era (322- 31 BC)
Classical era (478-323 BC)
Archaic era (800-479 BC)
Geometric era (-1100- 800 BC)
Prehistory (-1100 BC)
What I can see
Almost at the centre of the Agora, there is the “Gymnasium” or “Palace of the Giants”, built on the ruins of the Odeon of Agrippa. The decorative forms of the north side of the building are Tritons and Giants. The Tritons were sea gods, sons of Poseidon and Amphitrite. They had a human body and a fish tail. The Giants were earthly deities, the sons of Gaia and Uranus, and had a human body and a serpent’s tail.
What I can't see
The conservatory, which no longer exists but for some scattered remains, was an imposing building, built on a donation by the Roman general Marcus Agrippa Vipsanius. It included a square central hall, with cavea (koilon), semicircular orchestra, and a rectangular raised stage. In the first construction phase it had a capacity of 1000 spectators, which was large enough to host musical events. Because the main hall was 25m long, however, and there was no internal colonnade to support the roof, in 150-175 AD the roof collapsed due to static problems. After repairs the capacity was reduced to 500 people, and it thereafter was used only for philosophy lectures. The conservatory was given many different names through the centuries, like “Grand Conservatory”, “Odeon”, “Theatre of Keramikos” and “Agrippeio”. Its north side was later converted into a stoa, supported by the sculptures of Tritons and Giants.
Bibliography
http://odysseus.culture.gr/h/2/gh251.jsp?obj_id=19809
Last visit 14/9/2013
Camp J., (2001), The Archaeology of Athens, Yale University Press, New Haven and London
Thompson H.A., Wycherley R.E., (1972), The Athenian Agora, results of excavations conducted by the American School of Classical Studies at Athens, v.6, The Agora of Athens, the History, shape and uses of an ancient city center, The American School of Classical Studies at Athens, Princeton, New Jersey
Travlos J., (1980), Pictorial Dictionary of Ancient Athens, New York: Hacker Art Book
