Wonders _
Temple of Zeus at Olympia
The Olympieum, or Temple of Olympian Zeus, served as a focal point for visitors to Olympia, for it housed one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world, a 12 meter high gold and ivory statue of the god Zeus, created by the famous sculptor Pheidias. The temple was built during the Early Classical period, between about 470 BC and 456 BC, by the architect Libon of Elis. Considered one of the finest and most balanced examples of Doric architecture, the Temple of Zeus had six columns along the short ends and thirteen along the sides. Although both ends had a porch formed by the projecting side walls, the only entrance was located on the front (eastern) facade and could be approached via a wide ramp. The pedimental sculpture on the east end portrayed the mythical chariot race, overseen by the god himself, between Pelops, whom the Greeks called the founder of the Olympic Games, and Oenomaos, a king of Pisa. Above both porches, the metopes display scenes from the Twelve Labors of Herakles, whose strength made him an important figure for the athletes. The monumental sculpture was destroyed in a fire, and an earthquake ruined the temple in the 5th century AD; however, Pausanius' careful descriptions have aided us greatly in reconstructing and understanding the architecture from fragments.
Temple of Zeus at Olympia
The Olympieum, or Temple of Olympian Zeus, served as a focal point for visitors to Olympia, for it housed one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world, a 12 meter high gold and ivory statue of the god Zeus, created by the famous sculptor Pheidias. The temple was built during the Early Classical period, between about 470 BC and 456 BC, by the architect Libon of Elis. Considered one of the finest and most balanced examples of Doric architecture, the Temple of Zeus had six columns along the short ends and thirteen along the sides. Although both ends had a porch formed by the projecting side walls, the only entrance was located on the front (eastern) facade and could be approached via a wide ramp. The pedimental sculpture on the east end portrayed the mythical chariot race, overseen by the god himself, between Pelops, whom the Greeks called the founder of the Olympic Games, and Oenomaos, a king of Pisa. Above both porches, the metopes display scenes from the Twelve Labors of Herakles, whose strength made him an important figure for the athletes. The monumental sculpture was destroyed in a fire, and an earthquake ruined the temple in the 5th century AD; however, Pausanius' careful descriptions have aided us greatly in reconstructing and understanding the architecture from fragments.