Taormina Roman Odeon

An odeon or odeum (from Ancient Greek: ᾠδεῖον, romanized: ōideîon, lit. 'singing place' ; Latin: ōdēum ) is a type of ancient Greek and Roman building used for musical activities such as singing, musical shows, and poetry competitions. These structures were smaller than Greek and Roman theatres.

Taormina Amphitheatre (Teatro Greco Romano) in Sicily was initially built by the Greeks in the 3rd century BC before being rebuilt and enlarged by the Romans.

The open-air theatre's design influences the amphitheatre and odeon, showcasing architectural evolution. Amphitheatres, unlike odeons, prioritize lines of sight over acoustics, reflecting functional differences. The first known amphitheatre of C. Scribonios Curio represents a blend of two theatres into one.