Photos of Temple of Olympian Zeus

The Temple of Zeus is located in the village of Olympia. It was built to worship Zeus and is one of the temples of ancient Greece. The Temple of Zeus was once famous for its ivory and gold statues, but today it is impossible to see the real thing. The Temple of Zeus was built in 470 BC and completed in 456 BC. It was designed by the architect Libon, and the statue of Zeus was in charge of the sculptor Pheidias. In 86 BC, the Roman commander Sulla captured Athens, destroyed the unfinished buildings, removed some of the stone pillars and other building materials, and transported them to Rome. They can still be seen today on the ruins of the Roman Forum in the center of Rome. The base of the Temple of Zeus is 64x28 meters, with 6 columns on the broad side and 13 columns on the long side. The surface of the temple is covered with stucco limestone, and the top of the temple is built of marble. The stone statues in front of and behind the temple are all made of marble from the island of Paros. The many statues on the gabled eaves on the west side of the temple are full of Athenian style. Legend has it that the Temple of Zeus once housed a statue of Zeus. According to historical records, the statue is 12 meters high, has an olive crown made of gold, sits on a magnificent throne made of fir wood, and is decorated with gold, ivory, ebony and various precious stones. On the right hand of Zeus is a small crowned statue, which is also made of gold and ivory. It holds a scepter made of gold in its right hand, and an eagle beside it. Today, the legendary statue and shrine no longer exist, only a few mutilated pillars and beams remain.