Temple of Olympian Zeus

The Temple of Olympian Zeus, also known as the Olympieion, is an ancient temple located in Athens, Greece. It is one of the largest temples of the ancient world, dedicated to the chief god of Greek mythology, Zeus.

History of the Temple

The construction of the Temple of Olympian Zeus began in the 6th century BCE, during the reign of the Athenian tyrant Peisistratos. However, it was not completed until the 2nd century CE, more than 600 years later, during the Roman Empire.

The temple was built on the site of an earlier temple dedicated to Zeus, which had been destroyed by fire in the 5th century BCE. The new temple was designed to be one of the largest and most impressive temples of the ancient world, with a monumental scale and lavish decoration.

Construction of the Temple

The construction of the Temple of Olympian Zeus was a massive undertaking that took centuries to complete. The temple was built in a rectangular shape, with an impressive row of 104 Corinthian columns along the sides, and a row of 16 columns on each end. Each column was approximately 17 meters tall, and the total length of the temple was around 96 meters.

The columns were made of Pentelic marble, which was quarried from the nearby Mount Pentelicus. The marble blocks were transported to the site using a system of ramps and pulleys, and then sculpted and carved by skilled artisans.

The interior of the temple was divided into three chambers, with the central chamber containing a massive statue of Zeus. The statue was made of ivory and gold, and was considered one of the greatest works of art of the ancient world.

The temple was also decorated with elaborate friezes and sculptures, including scenes from Greek mythology and depictions of the gods and goddesses. These sculptures were made by some of the greatest artists of the ancient world, including Phidias, who also worked on the Parthenon.

Later History of the Temple

Despite its grandeur and size, the Temple of Olympian Zeus fell into disrepair over the centuries, and much of it was destroyed by earthquakes, floods, and human activity. By the 15th century, much of the temple had been dismantled and used for building materials, and only a few columns remained standing.

In the 19th century, the Greek government began a project to restore the temple to its former glory. The project was led by the architect Kleanthis and the sculptor Leonidas Drosis, who worked to reconstruct the temple using the remaining columns and other surviving fragments.

Today, the Temple of Olympian Zeus is a popular tourist attraction in Athens, drawing visitors from around the world. The temple is located near several other ancient sites, including the Acropolis and the Theater of Dionysus.