<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>EX-23
<SEQUENCE>2
<FILENAME>consent.txt
<DESCRIPTION>CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
<TEXT>
                                                                      Exhibit 23


            CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
            --------------------------------------------------------


We  hereby  consent  to the  incorporation  by  reference  in  the  Registration
Statement on Form S-8 (No 2-80883) of Old Republic International  Corporation of
our report dated June 22, 2004 relating to the  financial  statements of the Old
Republic  International  Corporation Employees Savings and Stock Ownership Plan,
which appears in this Form 11-K (as filed on Form 10-K/A).


                                             /s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP


June 22, 2004
Chicago, Illinois


</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>