The Temple of Zeus at Olympia, Heroes, and Athletes

Temple of Zeus at Olympia

A major temple in ancient Greece located at Olympia

Judith Barringer

The scholar who argued that the temple’s sculptures were meant to inspire athletes rather than warn them.

Olympia

The site of the ancient Olympic Games and home to the Temple of Zeus.

Elis

The city-state that built the Temple of Zeus after defeating Pisa in war.

Herakles Metopes

Sculpted panels showing the 12 labors of Herakles

Arete

A Greek word meaning excellence or virtue

Kleos

A Greek word for glory or fame earned through heroic actions.

Centauromachy

A mythological battle between Lapiths and Centaurs shown on the temple’s west pediment.

Apollo

The central figure of the west pediment

East Pediment

The front sculpture of the temple showing the chariot race between Pelops and King Oinomaos.

West Pediment

The back sculpture of the temple showing the Centauromachy.

Pelops

A Greek hero shown in the east pediment

Oinomaos

A king who challenged suitors to deadly chariot races to win his daughter’s hand.

Divine Favor Version

A version of Pelops’s myth where he wins with winged horses given by Poseidon.

Cheating Version

A later version of the Pelops myth where he wins by sabotaging Oinomaos’s chariot.

Zanes

Bronze statues of Zeus paid for with fines from athletes who cheated in the games.

Pederasty

A mentorship and bonding practice in ancient Greece

Poseidon

Pelops’s former lover in the myth who gives him magical horses.

Military Dedications

Weapons

Hoplitodromos

A footrace in armor added to the Olympic Games to train men for war.

Herakles

The hero who completed 12 labors and was believed to have founded the Olympic Games.

Sculptural Program

The unified theme of the temple’s artwork showing heroism

Seers

Figures in the east pediment who may be reacting to or foreseeing the outcome of the race.

Athletic Arete

The idea that athletes should strive for excellence in body

Barringer’s Thesis

That the sculptures were designed as inspirational models of heroism for Olympic athletes