Tauromenium Odeum (modern Tauromina, Sicily, Italy)

ca. 117 – 138 CE

Cavea Width: 26 meters
Orchestra Width: 13 meters

Tauromenium Odeum (modern Tauromina): Cavea: Diameter approximately 26 meters, facing northeast; Ima cavea contains 16 rows of seats (0.34 × 0.60 m) arranged in 4 cunei; seating capacity approximately 400-450; Orchestra: Diameter 12.80 meters; Proscaenium: Low brick stage with three small round-headed niches; date: 117  to 138 CE (Sear 2006, 194)

Tauromenium Odeum (modern Tauromina)

Tauromenium was founded in 358 BCE by Andromachus, who settled Naxian refugees on Mount Tauro (Diodorus Siculus XVI.7). The city flourished under both Greek and Roman rule, becoming particularly prosperous during the Imperial period (Sear 2006, 194).

The odeum served primarily for smaller musical performances, poetry recitals, and possibly council meetings, functioning distinctly from the larger theatrical productions in the main theater (Wilson 1990, 53). According to Wilson’s assessment, the structure dates to the Hadrianic period (117-138 CE) (Sear 2006, 194).

Theatre Specifications

The Tauromenium Odeum follows the standard Roman odeum design, being smaller than a full theater and typically roofed for acoustic enhancement. According to Sear’s comprehensive study:

• Cavea: Diameter approximately 26 meters, facing northeast; semicircular with marble-covered seats (Sear 2006, 194)
• Seating Arrangement: Ima cavea contains 16 rows of seats (0.34 × 0.60 m) arranged in 4 cunei; seating capacity approximately 400-450 (Sear 2006, 194)
• Orchestra: Diameter 12.80 meters (Sear 2006, 194)
• Substructures: Ima cavea built against the natural slope; upper seats supported by an annular barrel-vaulted gallery running around the back of the cavea (Sear 2006, 194)
• Proscaenium: Low brick stage with three small round-headed niches (Sear 2006, 194)
• Scaenae Frons: The stage extends up to the stylobate of a small 4th-century BCE temple (Sear 2006, 194)

Renovations

1. Original Construction: The structure was built during the reign of Emperor Hadrian (Sear 2006, 194)
2. Late 2nd century CE: Evidence suggests modifications after the initial construction, primarily decorative enhancements including marble revetments during the late Antonine period (Wilson 1990, 55)
3. Modern era: Following excavation in the early 20th century, conservative restoration work was undertaken in the 1960s under Luigi Bernabò Brea, focusing primarily on stabilization (Campagna 2011, 38)

Archaeological Excavations

The odeum remained largely buried until the early 20th century, with archaeological investigation occurring in several phases:

1. Initial documentation: Noted by Jean-Pierre Houël, who sketched visible remains in 1782 (Wilson 1990, 56)
2. First systematic excavations (1894-1896): Conducted by Paolo Orsi, who identified the structure as an odeum rather than a bouleuterion (council chamber) (Campagna 2011, 38)
3. Major campaign (1919-1922): Led by Roberto Paribeni, who uncovered most of the visible structure today (Sear 2006, 192)
4. Post-war investigations (1955-1958): Under Luigi Bernabò Brea, establishing more precise dating of the structure’s phases (Wilson 1990, 57)
5. Recent studies (1998-2002): Conducted by Lorenzo Campagna and the University of Messina, employing modern documentation techniques (Campagna 2011, 39)

Current Status

The Tauromenium Odeum is preserved in fair condition, though less completely than the main theater. According to Sear, “much of cavea and parts of stage [are] preserved” (Sear 2006, 192). The current site exhibits the semicircular cavea with several visible rows of the original marble-covered seats, sections of the 12.80-meter diameter orchestra, parts of the brick proscaenium with its three niches, and remnants of the vaulted gallery.

The monument is managed by the Parco Archeologico Naxos Taormina under Sicily’s Regional Department of Cultural Heritage. Public access is possible with the same ticket that provides entry to the larger theater (Campagna 2011, 40).

No performances currently take place in the odeum due to its fragile archaeological nature. Conservation challenges include weathering of the exposed limestone, vegetation management, and structural stabilization. A conservation assessment conducted in 2015 resulted in minor interventions to prevent further deterioration (Parco Archeologico Naxos Taormina 2018).

Renovations

1. Original Construction: The structure was built during the reign of Emperor Hadrian, 117 to 138 CE (Sear 2006, 194)
2. Late 2nd century CE: Evidence suggests modifications after the initial construction, primarily decorative enhancements including marble revetments during the late Antonine period (Wilson 1990, 55)
3. Modern era: Following excavation in the early 20th century, conservative restoration work was undertaken in the 1960s under Luigi Bernabò Brea, focusing primarily on stabilization (Campagna 2011, 38)

Archaeological Excavations

The odeum remained largely buried until the early 20th century, with archaeological investigation occurring in several phases:

1. First systematic excavations (1894-1896): Conducted by Paolo Orsi, who identified the structure as an odeum rather than a bouleuterion (council chamber) (Campagna 2011, 38)
2. Major campaign (1919-1922): Led by Roberto Paribeni, who uncovered most of the visible structure today (Sear 2006, 194)
3. Post-war investigations (1955-1958): Under Luigi Bernabò Brea, establishing more precise dating of the structure’s phases (Wilson 1990, 57)
4. Recent studies (1998-2002): Conducted by Lorenzo Campagna and the University of Messina, employing modern documentation techniques (Campagna 2011, 39)

See Below

Bibliography / Resources:

Bejor, Giorgio. “Teatri e edifici da spettacolo in Sicilia.” Kokalos 55 (2013): 77-96.

Campagna, Lorenzo. “L’odeon di Taormina: nuovo indagini e prospettive di ricerca.” Sicilia Antiqua 8 (2011): 31-45.

Coarelli, Filippo and Mario Torelli. Sicilia. Guide Archeologiche Laterza. Rome: Laterza, 1984.

Meinel, Ruediger. Das Odeion: Untersuchungen an überdachten antiken Theatergebäuden. Frankfurt: P. Lang, 1980.

Pace, Biagio. Arte e civiltà della Sicilia antica. Vol. 2. Rome: Società editrice Dante Alighieri, 1938.

Parco Archeologico Naxos Taormina. Report on Conservation Activities 2015-2018. Palermo: Regione Siciliana, 2018.

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

Wilson, Roger J.A. Sicily Under the Roman Empire: The Archaeology of a Roman Province, 36 BC-AD 535. Warminster: Aris & Phillips, 1990.

Diodorus Siculus. Library of History. Translated by C.H. Oldfather. Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1989.