Explore the historic highlights of Athens
Athens, Greece
447 BC
Athens, Greece
c. 495-429 BC
Athens, Greece
421-406 BCE
Athens, Greece
100-0 BCE
Athens, Greece
437 BC
Athens, Greece
420 BCE
Athens, Greece
420 BCE
Athens, Greece
161 AD
Athens, Greece
6th century BC
Athens, Greece
132 AD
Athens, Greece
159 BCE (1952-1956)
Athens, Greece
1836-1843
Athens, Greece
1759
Athens, Greece
1866-1889
Athens, Greece
5th century BCE
Athens, Greece
1668-1670
Athens, Greece
19-11 BC
Athens, Greece
2009
Athens, Greece
6th century BC
Athens, Greece
520 BC
Athens, Greece
450 BCE
Athens, Greece
131-132 AD
Athens, Greece
490-480 BCE
Athens, Greece
144 AD
Athens, Greece
1842
Athens, Greece
1914
Athens, Greece
2700 BCE
Athens, Greece
1874-1888
Athens, Greece
1843
Athens, Greece
1930
Athens, Greece
c. 116 AD
Athens, Greece
570 BCE
Athens, Greece
1837
The Odeon of Herodes Atticus is a stone theatre structure located on the southwest slope of the Acropolis of Athens. It was built in 161 AD by the Athenian magnate Herodes Atticus in memory of his wife, Aspasia Annia Regilla. It was originally a steep-sloped theater with a three-story stone front wall and a wooden roof made of expensive cedar of Lebanon timber. It was used as a venue for music concerts with a capacity of 5,000. It lasted intact until it was destroyed and left in ruins by the Heruli in 267 AD.
The audience stands and the orchestra (stage) were restored using Pentelic marble in the 1950s. Since then it has been the main venue of the Athens Festival, which runs from May through October each year, featuring a variety of acclaimed Greek as well as International performances.