The Temple of Zeus at Olympia, Heroes, and Athletes 2

Slide 1: Entering Olympia

• In the 5th century B.C., athletes arrived at Olympia for the games.

• Crowds of spectators, merchants, and religious leaders watched them enter.

• As they passed the Temple of Zeus, they saw sculptures showing the Centauromachy (battle between humans and Centaurs).

• Athletes then entered the sacred area called the Altis.

✋ Slide 2: Swearing Oaths & Making Offerings

• Athletes swore to compete fairly by placing hands on pieces of sacrificed boar meat in front of a statue of Zeus.

• They also made offerings to Zeus and to Pelops, a legendary hero, at his shrine (the Pelopion).

🏛 Slide 3: Temple of Zeus and Its Sculptures

• The Temple of Zeus is mostly in ruins today, but its sculptures are well preserved.

• The temple was built by Libon of Elis, using limestone and stucco.

• The temple is famous for its detailed sculptures discovered in 1831 and 1875.

🧱 Slide 4: Metopes – The Labors of Herakles

• The temple had 12 sculpted panels (metopes) made of marble.

• Each metope showed one of the Labors of Herakles, 6 on the front and 6 on the back.

🐴 Slide 5: West Pediment – The Centauromachy

• Depicted a violent myth: the Centaur guests at a wedding got drunk and tried to abduct the Lapith women.

• The Lapith men, led by Theseus and Perithoos, fought them off.

• The central figure is Apollo, who watches but does not fight.

• Scholars see this myth as a symbol of the Persian invasion of Greece and Greek victory.

• It also shows heroic behavior and human struggle, not divine intervention.

🛞 Slide 6: East Pediment – The Chariot Race

• Tells the myth of Pelops vs. King Oinomaos, who challenged suitors to a deadly race for his daughter, Hippodameia.

• Pelops was the 14th to try and succeeded, winning the princess and the kingdom.

• This myth may be the origin story of the Olympic Games.

🧠 Slide 7: Deeper Meanings in the Sculptures

• The sculptures at Olympia were meant to inspire:

  • Political unity

  • Religious respect

  • Agonistic values (competition and excellence)

• They connected myth, history, and values of ancient Greek society.

⚔ Slide 8: Olympia and the Military

• Olympia was filled with weapons and armor donated by Greek city-states.

• Even the Temple of Zeus was funded by a war victory.

• Its decorations included Spartan military trophies.

• Shows how military success and athletic competition were closely connected.

🏋 Slide 9: Athletics as War Training

• Greeks believed that athletics prepared men for battle.

• Ancient writers said games trained young men for strength, discipline, and bravery.

• Spartans placed athletic champions next to kings in battle.

• Some Olympic winners even became military leaders.

⚰ Slide 10: Origins of the Games

• Some scholars think the games were based on funeral games, like those for the hero Patroklos in Homer’s Iliad.

• Pelops's death may have been the origin story for the Olympics.

• War and athletics were connected: both involved rules, discipline, pride, and monuments for victory.

👩 Slide 11: Girls' Games – The Heraia

• The Heraia were footraces for girls, honoring Hera.

• Girls ran partially clothed—some think this was inspired by Spartan traditions.

• These races may have helped girls transition into adulthood and prepare for marriage, like how boys competed to win brides.

🗿 Slide 12: New Use of Myth in Art

• The Centauromachy had appeared before on vases, but this was the first time it appeared in large temple sculpture.

• It focused on human achievement, not gods.

• Apollo appears but only guides, not fights—emphasizing the power of human heroes.

🏅 Slide 13: Kleos – The Glory of Victory

• Ancient athletes couldn’t become immortal, but they wanted kleos: everlasting glory.

• Olympic victors became famous across Greece.

• They were honored with:

  • Statues

  • Free meals

  • Front row seats

  • Public poems and praise

🎤 Slide 14: Pindar’s Victory Odes

• Pindar was a poet who celebrated Olympic winners.

• He said risk was necessary for real glory: no danger, no fame.

• But he also warned that success could bring envy or arrogance (hubris), which could harm both the victor and their community.