Pergamum Odeum

2nd century CE

Cavea Width: 36 meters
Orchestra Width: 15 meters

The Pergamum Odeum in the Upper Gymnasium (modern Bergama, Turkey) is a covered Roman-style performance venue; approximately 36 meters in diameter; featuring 14 rows of seating arranged in 5 cunei; facing south-southeast; with an estimated capacity of 1,000 spectators; containing a semicircular orchestra of 15 meters in diameter; constructed during the 2nd century CE; currently in a partial state of preservation with core structural elements identifiable, particularly the cavea support system and parts of the seating area, though much of the superstructure and decorative elements have been lost.

Pergamum Odeum (modern Bergama, Turkey)

The Pergamum Odeum, (A small, roofed theater or recital hall) is located within the Upper Gymnasium complex on the Pergamum Acropolis. The small roman theatre has been partially excavated. It has not been restored.

Brief History of the City

Pergamum rose to prominence during the Hellenistic period as the capital of the Attalid dynasty (3rd-2nd century BCE), becoming one of the most important cultural centers in the eastern Mediterranean (Radt 407). Following the bequest of the last Attalid king, Attalus III, the city came under Roman control in 133 BCE and was incorporated into the province of Asia (Radt 407-408). Under Roman rule, Pergamum continued to flourish as a center of learning, medicine, and architectural innovation.

Brief History of the Odeum

The Odeum (A small, roofed theater or recital hall) in the Upper Gymnasium was constructed during the 2nd century CE as part of the expanded Roman imperial building program in Pergamum (Sear 347). Unlike the city’s main theater on the steep acropolis slope, this smaller covered performance venue was integrated into the Upper Gymnasium complex, reflecting the Roman practice of incorporating theatrical spaces into larger educational and civic establishments. The structure served multiple functions, potentially operating as both a performance venue (odeum) and a meeting place for civic deliberations (bouleuterion).

Architectural Specifications

The following specifications are drawn from Frank Sear’s reference book, Roman Theatres: An Architectural Study (Oxford University Press, 2006), except where otherwise noted.

Location

• GPS coordinates: 39.12701, 27.18546
• Pergamum on the ancient acropolis in modern Bergama, Turkey.
• Orientation: Facing south-southeast
• Topographical details: Located within the Upper Gymnasium complex on the Pergamum acropolis, positioned on the northern terrace of the gymnasium, taking advantage of the natural slope for part of its construction

Cavea (seating area)

• Diameter: Approximately 36 meters
• Estimated capacity: 1,000 spectators (Schazmann)
• Seating divisions: 14 rows arranged in 5 cunei (wedge-shaped sections)
• Construction materials and techniques: Lower rows built on solid masonry and mortar foundation
• Support structures and access: Main seating area supported by annular barrel vaults resting on two thick curved walls; praecinctio (horizontal walkway) of 1.55 meters width at the top of the cavea

Orchestra (performance space between audience and stage)

• Dimensions: Approximately 15 meters in diameter
• Shape: Semicircular, consistent with Roman theatrical design
• Materials: Likely paved, though specific materials are not detailed in the primary source
• Special features: Connected to the main cavea structure by two arched entrances at the ends of the annular passage, replacing the traditional aditus maximi (main entrances)

Pulpitum (stage)

• Dimensions and construction details not knownl :
• Connection to orchestra: Direct access from the stage level to the orchestra level, typical of Roman design

Scaenae Frons (decorative scene house front)

• Architectural order and design: Not specifically detailed in the primary sources
• Doorways: Five doorways leading from the peristyle into the stage area, with the central doorway larger than the others (Sear 347)

Access and Circulation

• Entrances and exits: Two arched entrances leading from the ends of the annular passage into the orchestra; doorways at ends of the annular vault leading out of the building
• Stairways and special areas: Staircase on the northeast side leading into the passageway at the top of the cavea from the terrace above
• Circulation pattern: Thin curved wall enclosing a passageway at the top of the cavea, providing circulation around the upper level

Current Status

Preservation Condition

The Odeum remains in a partial state of preservation, with the core structural elements still identifiable. The cavea support system and parts of the seating area are relatively well-preserved, though much of the superstructure and decorative elements have been lost. The foundations and lower sections provide sufficient evidence for architectural reconstruction (Radt 127-128).

Conservation Efforts

The site is maintained as part of the larger Pergamon archaeological complex, with ongoing conservation work focused on:

• Structural stabilization of remaining elements
• Protection from weathering
• Documentation and monitoring of the architectural remains

UNESCO Status

The Archaeological Site of Pergamon and its Multi-Layered Cultural Landscape, which includes the Upper Gymnasium and its Odeum, was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2014, recognizing its outstanding universal value as an exceptional testimony to Hellenistic, Roman, and Byzantine cultural traditions.

Ancient Renovations

The structure appears to have maintained its original 2nd-century CE design without major recorded renovations during antiquity. The architectural unity suggests a single primary building phase (Radt 128).

Modern Restorations

• Initial excavation and documentation occurred during German archaeological campaigns in the early 20th century, led by Peter Schazmann (1923)
• Further investigation and partial restoration work conducted during the 1970s by German Archaeological Institute teams (Radt 407-432)
• Recent conservation efforts focused on stabilizing the remaining structural elements and protecting the site from further degradation (Radt 127-128)

Major Excavation Campaigns

• 1900-1923: Initial systematic excavations of the Upper Gymnasium complex, including the odeum, directed by Peter Schazmann as part of the German archaeological mission at Pergamon, sponsored by the Berlin Museums (Schazmann 61-63)
• 1970s: Supplementary excavations and documentation by Wolfgang Radt and the German Archaeological Institute (Deutsches Archäologisches Institut) (Radt 407-432)
• 1990s-2000s: Continued research and conservation work by German and Turkish archaeological teams (Radt 127-128)

Publication History

• 1923: First comprehensive documentation by Peter Schazmann in “Das Gymnasion: Der Tempelbezirk der Hera Basileia” as part of the Altertümer von Pergamon series (Schazmann 61-63)
• 1978: Updated analysis by Wolfgang Radt in Archäologischer Anzeiger (Radt 407-432)
• 1988/1999: Further updated documentation in Radt’s general works on Pergamon (Radt 146; 127-128)
• 2006: Inclusion in Frank Sear’s comprehensive catalog of Roman theaters (Sear 346-347)

Bibliography / Resources:

“Pergamon Gymnasium Odeon.” Kültür Envanteri, kulturenvanteri.com/en/yer/pergamon-gymnasium-odeonu/. Accessed 9 Apr. 2025.

“Pergamon Acropolis – Upper Gymnasium.” Nomadic Niko, nomadicniko.com/turkey/bergama/pergamon-acropolis/#Pergamon_Gymnasium. Accessed 9 Apr. 2025.

Radt, Wolfgang. “Pergamon, Vorbericht über die Kampagne 1977.” Archäologischer Anzeiger, vol. 93, 1978, pp. 407-432.

Radt, Wolfgang. Pergamon: Geschichte und Bauten einer antiken Metropole. Primus Verlag, 1999.

Schazmann, Peter. Das Gymnasion: Der Tempelbezirk der Hera Basileia. Altertümer von Pergamon, vol. 6, Walter de Gruyter, 1923.

Sear, Frank. Roman Theatres: An Architectural Study. Oxford University Press, 2006.

“Pergamon and its Multi-Layered Cultural Landscape.” UNESCO World Heritage Centre, whc.unesco.org/en/list/1457/. Accessed 9 Apr. 2025.