The Temple of Zeus in Olympia

Where is the Temple of Zeus located?

Within the Altis

When was the Temple of Zeus created?

472 - 456 BC (golden age)

What style is the Temple of Zeus?

Doric

What is the Temple of Zeus made out of?

Limestone covered in stucco = looks like marble

What are the dimensions of the Temple of Zeus?

27.7 metres x 64.1 metres

What are the similarities between the Temple of Zeus and Greek temples?

- oriented East to West

- stood on a three stepped base

- surrounded by a colonnade

- had a naos + opisthodomos

- 6 x 13 columns

What are the differences between the Temple of Zeus and Greek temples?

- internal colonnade flanking Zeus' statue

- ramp from the entrance (for disabled people?)

- bigger than average temple

What was the Eastern pediment?

Pelops + Oinomaos

- Pelops, a suitor of Hippodameia, daughter of Oinomaos, challenged the king to a chariot race.

- Oinomaos, forewarned of his death at the hands of his son-in-law, used his divine horses to ensure victory in the race.

- Pelops eventually won through either trickery or divine intervention.

What was the Western pediment?

Centuromachy

- Centaurs had been invited to the wedding of Pirithoos, King of the Lapiths, and Hippodameia

- Everyone drank copious amounts of wine

- As Pirithoos and Hippodameia were about to be wed, a drunk centaur attempted to make off with the bride

- Centaurs began to assault wedding guests

- Theseus came to Lapiths' aid

- Lapiths' emerged victorious and drove the centaurs from the land

----------------------------------------------------------------------Symbolises triumph of civilisation over savagery and brutality

Where is the altar?

There was once an altar at the foot of the steps, but it has since been removed, it has the altis in between the temple of Zeus and the altar

When was the altar built?

776BC but the temple was not built until 200 years later

What was on top of the altar?

A 7 metres pile of ash

What was the altar constructed of?

Organic material (bones and ash that accumulated from hundreds of years of sacrifice)