Odeon of Agrippa

The Odeon of Agrippa stood from around 15 BC in the middle of the ancient Agora of Athens and was a roofed concert and lecture hall for some 1,000 spectators. It was a gift from the Roman statesman Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa to the people of Athens and occupied what had been the open central square of the classical Agora, which sharply reversed the older Greek civic idea. Around AD 150 the wide timber roof collapsed; after rebuilding the hall was reduced to a smaller auditorium. About AD 400 the site was reused as a base for the philosophical schools and became known as the Palace of the Giants. Three colossal Triton and Giant figures survive in the Agora, originally column supports for the entrance portico and now standing freely. Visitors pass them on the loop between the Hephaisteion and the Stoa of Attalos.