NIKOPOLIS - Roman Odeion - 2001

Nikopolis, Roman odeion. K. Zachos (ΙΒ' ΕΠΚΑ) reports on work to clarify details of the monument plan. A rainwater drain was traced to the south of the odeion, to the north of which was the collapsed brick arched superstructure of an unidentified construction, in contact with the south face of the south-west stair of the odeion, which likely continues east beyond the excavation area.

The north wall of the postscaenei was completely exposed along its north face, revealing an entrance to the odeion from the north. The difference in elevation between the north wall and the floor of the aulae regiae indicates that the approach to the postscaenei must have been via a staircase (yet to be located). On the interior west side of the odeion, fill inside the postscaenei and the west paraskenion to the south, and over the stairway west of the adjunct room of the skene, was removed to confirm the plan of these features. Inside the west part of the postscaenei, beneath a destruction level, was much fallen walling over three interior walls defining a smaller Π-shaped area representing a later construction phase (undated for want of portable finds). In the west paraskenion, 20 sections of walling and a part of a Corinthian-style marble column capital were removed. The stairway was shown to have 18 steps, constructed in brick over a rubble core and clad in limestone.

The southeast stairway was also exposed (seven steps and bounding walls), set against east wall of the odeion in the shrine area, and with a corridor at the north end leading to another smaller stairway (six steps), feeding into the corridor around the koilon.

Removal of fill in the east parodos revealed five tile graves: most had no grave goods, and the items found (a little pottery, glass and bronze sheet) provides no date.