ODEUM, in Grecian antiquity, a music-theatre, built by Pericles; the inside of which was filled with seats and ranges of pillars, and on the outside the roof descended shelving downwards from a point in the centre, with many bendings, in imitation of the king of Persia's pavilion. Here the musical prizes were contended for; and here also, according to Aristophanes, was a tribunal.
De Odio et Atia. See False Imprisonment.
The writ de odio et atia was anciently used to be directed to the sheriff, commanding him to inquire whether a prisoner charged with murder was committed upon just cause of suspicion, or merely propter odium et atiam, for hatred and ill-will; and if upon the inquisition due cause of suspicion did not then appear, then there issued another writ for the sheriff to admit him to bail. This writ, according to Braclon, ought not to be denied to any man; it being expressly ordered
to be made out gratis, without any denial, by magna carta, c. 26. and statute Westm. 2. 13 Edw. I. c. 29. But the statute of Gloucester, 6 Edw. I. c. 9. restrained it in the case of killing by misadventure or self-defence, and the statute 28 Edw. III. c. 9. abolished it in all cases whatsoever: but as the stat. 42 Ed. III. c. 1. repealed all statutes then in being, contrary to the great charter, Sir Edward Coke is of opinion that the writ de odio et atia was thereby revived. See HABEAS CORPUS.