Ode

• Originally, a chorus sang odes, which were usually written in celebration of an athletic victory or other heroic event. These types of odes are called Pindaric odes, after the poet Pindar, who made this style famous. The Roman poet Horace established Horatian odes, which often focused on more contemplative and simple subjects. Horace and his imitators meant for their poems to be read rather than performed. Pindaric and Horatian odes shared a similar structure.
  
  

Strophe

• The strophe is the first stanza or verse of an ode; it establishes the meter and rhythm of the poem. Strophe means "turning" in Greek, and it indicated a specific movement of the chorus. While the specific movements of the chorus are unclear today, the name implies that the chorus would have moved in a specific manner while singing the strophe. Possibly, the chorus could have moved to one side of the stage or only a specific half of the chorus may have sung the strophe.
  
  

Antistrophe

• The antistrophe, the second stanza of the ode, mirrors the form and structure of the strophe. Antistrophe means "counter-turning" or, perhaps, "turn the other way." The specific movements are unclear, but the chorus appears to have performed a different action while singing the strophe. The chorus could have moved to another side of the stage, or another part of the chorus could have sung the antistrophe.
  
  

Epode

• The epode was the final part of the three-part ode. Epode means "after-song" and can have a different structure than the strophe or the antistrophe. The epode was specifically directed as a type of choral action. The chorus could have come together in the middle of the stage or stood still while singing the epode.