OLYMPIA

Question 1

OLYMPIA CONTEXT

Answer 1

• CENTRAL WESTERN PART OF PELOPONNESE
• Its site and use are firmly linked with the mythology and cult of the predominant Olympian Zeus.
• Not a city-state, not controlled by a league of Greek city-states, UNDER AUTHORITY OF SINGLE CITY - ELIS.
• SANCTUARY was distinguished by a boundary wall called ALTIS where most sacred buildings and monuments.

Question 2

TEMPLE OF ZEUS

Answer 2

• centre of Altis
• dominating sanctuary space was Temple of Zeus
• built before 456, Early Classical Temple
• housed the chryselephantine of Zeus made by Pheidias, same sculptor who made statue of Athena in Parthenon
• Largest temple in the sanctuary
• decorated with scenes relating closely to the mythology of OLYMPIA AND ZEUS

Question 3

EAST PEDIMENT

Answer 3

• Chariot race between PELOPS, ZEUS’ GRANDSON and OINOMAOS.
• PELOPS - GREEK HERO WHOSE SHRINE IS LOCATED WITHIN THE ALTIS, founded Olympic Games.
• Centre = ZEUS, presiding over the event and ensuring that hero defeats barbaric OINOMAOS, who beheaded all previous opponents
• myth not only relevant to Zeus - familial connection but also OLYMPIA = founding myth to the games
• On either side of pediment = sculpted personifications of two main rivers of Olympia; Kladeos and Alpheios, bringing the mythical scene even closer to the setting of the temple.

Question 4

WEST PEDIMENT

Answer 4

• Centauromachy, mythical battle between part-horse, part-man centaurs and Lapiths, people from Thessaly.
• Thought to have symbolised the victory of civilisation over barbarity
• In the centre, Apollo dominates the scene as god of justice and order

Question 5

METOPES

Answer 5

• metopes of temple portrayed 12 labours of Heracles, aided by the goddess Athena. Also believed to have been founded of Olympic Games

Question 6

PHEIDAS STATUE OF ZEUS

Answer 6

• Inside temple = PHEIDIAS’ STATUE OF ZEUS one of the seven wonders of ancient world
• gold and ivory statue not survived, we know god seated on throne holding a sceptre with an eagle on top in his left hand a statue of Nike, winged Victory in his right. Everything about the statue affirms his supremacy, power and authority as fathers of gods and men.
• Olympic Games this would have been admired.

Question 7

ASH ALTAR

Answer 7

• North of the temple of Zeus an enormous altar of Zeus
• Here that Zeus struck his lightning bolt from MOUNT OLYMPUS in northern Greece. Altar had existed since 10th century and was pile of ashes left from each sacrifice mixed with water from the local river, the Alpheios.
• By 1st century AD = stone base surmounted by pile of ashes almost 7m high.
• monumental altar, site of worship of the god, site of sacrifices made throughout Games by athletes and vistors
• reminds us GAMES although athletic were dedicated and in honour of Zeus - religious affair.

Question 8

TREASURIES

Answer 8

• On the northern side of Altis, 12 treasuries when entering stadium, votive offerings set up by city-states to house dedications to the gods.
• Mount Kronos
• As at Delphi, these were set up by Greeks all over the world. PANHELLENIC APPEAL TO SANCTUARY -> 3 Scicillian, 2 South Italian. Max. visibility and self promotion prime location to the way of the stadium.
• Infront of treasuries = bronze statues of ZEUS = ZANES, these depicted god about to throw his thunderbolt paid for with the fines imposed on athletes who cheated and their purpose = WARN FUTURE ATHLETES AGAINST IT.
• On first day of GAMES = athletes and judges had to swear an oath to ZEUS HORIKOS, PROTECTOR OF OATHS. These statues = visual reminders that Zeus punishes those who defy him.

Question 9

ECHO STOA

Answer 9

• between temple of zeus and stadium
• echo , echoed 7 times within
• mid 4th century
• 100m long
• competition for trumpeters and herald and winners of these contests = OFFICIAL TRUMPETER

Question 10

THE STADIUM

Answer 10

• just outside TEMENOS boundary north- east side of the sanctuary
• running races, combat and field events took place during Games
• Athletes would emerge through a vaulted tunnel to reach the track, highly dramatic entrance that is similar to modern stadiums.
• Reinforce RELIGIOUS ELEMENT = running race always finished facing ATLIS, SHOWING ATHLETES DEDICATION TO ZEUS.
• Stadium = 560 built and was later refurbished. COULD ACCOMODATE 40,000-45,000 SPECTATORS!!!!
• PRIESTESS ONLY WOMAN ALLOWED TO VIEW