OLYMPIA

Klaus Herrmann wrote in 1989: "anyone who has experienced a wild winter storm in the Alpheios valley and seen the sky resplendent with blinding lighting, or who has been startled by a sudden mighty thunderclap on a stifling summer's day, will have no reason to doubt that this isolated part of western Peloponnese is indeed the most important Sanctuary of Zeus, wielder of thunderbolts and father of the gods." It is one of the most important sanctuaries of antiquity, dedicated to the father of the gods Olympian Zeus. It is also the birth-place of the Olympic Games and where they used to be held. The area has been inhabited since the 3rd millennium BC and during the Mycenaean period it became a religious center. The excavations began in 1829 first by the French and continued 45 years later by the Germans. The most important monuments of Olympia are:

The Temple of Zeus: built in Doric style between 470-456 BC, it was of imposing dimensions. The visitor could enter in the three-aisled cella where stood the magnificent gold and ivory statue of Zeus (Chryselephantine), one of the seven wonders of ancient world.

The Temple of Hera (Heraion): dated to the end of the 7th century, it is one of the oldest examples of monumental dimensioned temples. It was a richly ornamented large building originally made of wood where stood in the three aisled cella the statues of Hera and Zeus.

The Stadium: dating back to the early days of the 5th century BC and measuring 212.54 m by 28.50 m, it had a capacity for 45,000 spectators.

The Bouleuterion: consists of two buildings dating back to the mid of the 6th and the 5thcenturies BC in the middle of which stood the altar of Horkios Zeus where athletes were sworn in before the games.

The Philippeion: a circular building started by Philip II in 338 BC and completed by Alexander the Great, used for the worship of the Macedonian dynasty.

The Leonidaion: named after its donor and architect Leonidas Naxos, it was built in 330 BC to host the 0important foreign visitors and officials during their stay in the city.

The Workshop of Pheidias: it was built to house the works carried out on the gold and ivory statue of Zeus. A considerable number of tools, terra-cotta moulds and other artifacts were found inside and around the building.

The Palaestra: erected in the 3rd century BC it was used for the practice of wrestling, boxing and jumping.

The Gymnasium: dating to the 2nd century BC, it is a closed rectangular building where athletes practiced events such as the javelin, the discus etc.

The Prytaneion: dating to the 5th century BC, it was the house of the Prytans (the official of the sanctuary). The sacred Hearth with the eternal flame was situated within.

The Treasuries: they are 12 small temples dedicated by the Greek cities of which only 5 were identified as built by the cities of Sicyon, Selinus, Metapontium, Megara and Gelas.

OLYMPIEION

It is one of the most notable ancient temples of Athens. Peisistratos the Younger started its building in 515 BC. but never finished it. In 174 BC, Antioch IV Epiphanes continued the erection of the temple and finally it was completed by Hadrian in 124/125 CE. Inside stood a colossal Chryselephantine (gold and ivory) statue of Zeus. The most important monuments of the site are:

Temple of Zeus Olympios: built between 124 and 132 CE, it was surrounded by 104 Corinthian columns with an additional Ionic colonnade from north to south.

The Temple of Apollo Delphinios: it is a peripteral Doric temple dating back to 500 BC.

The Court at the Delphinion: dating back to 500 BC, it has a spacious courtyard and rooms along the north side.

Gates of the city wall of Athens: built by Themistocles in 479/78 BC.

Roman baths: constructed by Hadrian in 124 -125 CE.

Temple of Panhellenic Zeus: built in 131-132 CE.

Temple of Cronos and Rhea: a small and dipteral temple dated to 150 CE.