Nysa Odeum (Bouleuterion or Gerontikon)

ca 1st century BCE rebuilt as oeum ca 160 CE

Cavea Width: 23 meters
Orchestra Width: 7 meters

Nysa Odeum (modern Sultanhisar, Turkey). Roman odeum converted from 1st century BCE bouleuterion (Gerontikon). South facing cavea: enclosed within rectangular walls (27.45 × 23.50 m): 12 rows in 4 cunei; orchestra: D 7.25; pulpitum: L 24.7; W c.2.25; scaenae frons: 5 doorway; 4 podia between, each 2 columns: 2 story columnatio. Earliest date for bouleuterion: 160 BCE. Bouleuterion converted into odeum ca. 160 CE. Seating capicity: 580-720. (Frank Sear).

Nysa Odeum (modern Sultanhisar, Turkey).

“The Gerontikon (Council of Elders) is located in the east of the city and northwest of the Agora. It is separated from the agora by the main street (plateia-street 2) on the north-south axis. The building complex, measuring 27.84 x 23.55 m, consists of a propylon (monumental gate), forecourt, two-story scaenae frons (stage building), and cavea (seating benches). The building, which has a seating capacity of approximately 700, is entered by passing through the propylon on the main street. In the middle of the 2nd century AD, the building was rebuilt with its two-story scaenae frons, forecourt, and propylon by the wealthy Nysa native, Sextus Julius Antoninus Pythodoros, on his mother’s will. Although no archaeological remains have survived from the Gerontikon (Council of the Elderly), which Strabo counted among the buildings on the eastern side of the city, this structure, which was built in the 2nd century AD, must have been built on the site of Gerontikon. This covered structure must have served many cultural and political meetings in the city.”

from: Aydin Nysa Archeological Site. Turkish Museums. 2020. https://turkishmuseums.com/museum/detail/1987-aydin-nysa-archeological-site/1987/4. Accessed April 21, 2024.

Nysa Odeum (modern Sultanhisar, Turkey). Roman odeum converted from 1st century BCE bouleuterion (Gerontikon).

Architectural Design: The Nysa bouleuterion, (called gerontikon by Strabon), was built in the 1st century AD and rebuilt in the 2nd century AD as an odeum (small, cover theatre). The building is enclosed within rectangular walls (27.45 × 23.50 m) and leans against an artificially heaped earth wall.

The odeum’s Semi-circular orchestra was aproximately 7.25 wide. It’s stage (or pulpitum) was aproximately 24.7 meters long and  c.2.25 meters wide. The scaenae frons (front of stage house) was composed of a 2 story columnato (dectorative column facade) and contained 5 doorways.  Earliest date for bouleuterion: 160 BCE. Bouleuterion converted into odeum ca. 160 CE. Seating capicity: 580-720. (Sear p. 346)

Built as bouleuterion ca 1st century BCE; rebuilt as oeum ca 160 CE.

Bibliography / Resources:

Aydin Nysa Archeological Site. Turkish Museums. 2020. https://turkishmuseums.com/museum/detail/1987-aydin-nysa-archeological-site/1987/4. Accessed April 21, 2024.

Nysa, Ancient Theatre in Turkey. On the Traces of Ancient Cultures. Tuerkei-Antik. http://www.tuerkei-antik.de/Theater/nysa_en.htm (accessed 9/30/2023)

Nysa Roman Theatre Remains. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nysa_on_the_Maeander. (accessed 9/25/2023)

Sear, Frank. Roman Theatres: An Architectural Study. Oxford and New York: Oxford University Press, 2006 (p. 346)