Temple of Olympian Zeus | Athens

The Temple of Olympian Zeus, also known as the Olympieion, is one of the most impressive ancient Greek temples and a major landmark in Athens. It was dedicated to Zeus, the king of the gods in Greek mythology, and was once considered one of the largest temples in the ancient world.

Historical Background:

• The construction of the Temple of Olympian Zeus began in 6th century BCE during the reign of Peisistratus, the tyrant ruler of Athens, but it was not completed until the Roman period, under the reign of the Roman emperor Hadrian in 131 CE.
• The temple was originally envisioned by Peisistratus to honor Zeus and celebrate Athens' growing power. The project, however, faced multiple interruptions and was never fully completed until the Roman Emperor Hadrian took over and decided to finish the temple as part of his efforts to link himself to Athenian culture.

Architecture and Design:

• The temple was designed in the Corinthian order, which is a more elaborate style compared to the Doric or Ionic orders. The Corinthian column style is characterized by columns decorated with acanthus leaves at the top.
• Originally, the temple was planned to have 104 Corinthian columns, but only 15 of these columns remain standing today, providing a glimpse into the grandeur of the original structure.
• The dimensions of the temple were enormous:
  • Height: Approximately 17 meters (56 feet) at the columns' height.
  • Length: 96 meters (315 feet) long.
  • Width: 40 meters (131 feet) wide.
• At the center of the temple, there was a massive statue of Zeus, created by the famous sculptor Phidias. The statue, which was over 12 meters (40 feet) tall, was made of gold and ivory and was considered one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
• The temple's massive scale and luxurious materials were intended to reflect the power and magnificence of Zeus, the chief deity of the Greek pantheon.

Construction and Completion:

• Peisistratus, the ruler who started the project, laid the foundations for the temple in the 6th century BCE, but it was left unfinished for several centuries due to political instability, financial problems, and a lack of resources.
• Alexander the Great and his successors also contributed to the construction but did not complete it. The project was finally completed under the Roman emperor Hadrian in the early 2nd century CE, with the finishing touches and the addition of the monumental statue of Zeus.

The Statue of Zeus:

• The statue of Zeus, created by the master sculptor Phidias, was placed in the temple and was described as one of the most magnificent sculptures of the ancient world. Made of gold and ivory, it was over 12 meters tall and seated on a throne, with Zeus depicted holding a figure of Nike, the goddess of victory, in his right hand.
• The statue became one of the most famous works of ancient Greek art and was renowned for its sheer size and splendor.

Decline and Ruin:

• After the Roman period, the temple's status declined. The statue of Zeus was moved in the 4th century CE, and the temple was gradually neglected.
• In 467 CE, the temple was damaged by a fire, and it was later plundered for its valuable materials. Its columns were looted, and the site fell into disrepair.
• By the medieval period, the temple was in ruins, and many of the temple’s parts were repurposed for other construction projects.

The Remaining Columns:

• Today, 15 columns of the original 104 columns remain standing. These columns are spread across the ruins of the temple and stand as a testament to the grandeur of the original structure.
• The remaining columns are monumental, standing 17 meters (56 feet) tall, with each column having a diameter of around 2 meters (6.5 feet). These columns were constructed from Pentelic marble, the same material used for other iconic Greek monuments such as the Parthenon.
• The ruins of the temple are located in the heart of Athens, close to the Acropolis and the Hadrian's Arch, another Roman monument that symbolizes the division between the classical Greek city and the Roman influences of Hadrian's reign.

Significance:

• The Temple of Olympian Zeus is a major symbol of the power and grandeur of both ancient Athens and the Roman Empire. The construction of such a large and luxurious temple reflects the immense wealth and influence that both Greek and Roman rulers had in the ancient Mediterranean world.
• The temple also represents the fusion of Greek religion and Roman imperial power, with Hadrian's completion of the temple symbolizing the role of Roman emperors in the continuation of Greek culture and religion.
• The temple is an important landmark for understanding the development of architecture in ancient Greece, showcasing the later use of the Corinthian order and Roman construction techniques.

Modern-Day Site:

• Today, the ruins of the Temple of Olympian Zeus are a major tourist attraction in Athens. Visitors can explore the remains of the columns, walk among the ruins, and learn about the history of the temple through informative displays and plaques.
• The temple is located near the Acropolis and the National Gardens of Athens, offering visitors the chance to experience an important part of ancient Greek religious and architectural history in a prominent location in the city.

Summary:

The Temple of Olympian Zeus is one of the most significant and monumental temples from ancient Greece, originally constructed in the 6th century BCE and completed in the 2nd century CE by Emperor Hadrian. Dedicated to the god Zeus, it was one of the largest temples in antiquity and housed a massive statue of Zeus. Although much of the temple was destroyed over time, the remaining columns continue to stand as a reminder of its once-grand scale and importance in ancient Greek and Roman history.