A major pilgrimage site in ancient times, the Temple of Zeus in Olympia was a cornerstone of Greek mythology. Its grand scale and impressive architectural design made it particularly famous today for the 800-year period in which it housed the chryselephantine statue of Zeus, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
Let’s travel back in time about 2,800 years to take a look at the origins of the Olympics by journeying to Olympia. A 2,800-year-old sport and diplomatic event began with a ceremony at the temple of Zeus, an ancient site dedicated to the worship of the Olympian gods.
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A world-famous masterpiece
It was very similar to the Parthenon in Athens, with its white stone columns topped by a roof adorned in many colours. The sides were decorated with scenes from the legends about the king of the Olympians.
In the first century before the common era, it mysteriously disappeared.
A symbol of unity and peace is often associated with flags of many nations.
Throughout the 1,200-year stretch of Ancient Greek civilization, more than a hundred independent city-states inhabited the region and frequently clashed in conflict with one another. Despite their differences, these city-states shared a common set of beliefs and a unified culture, which is why they would often come together for major events at the temple of Zeus in Olympia, the epicenter of Greek mythology, where the gods of Olympus, residing on Mount Olympus, were worshipped. These events included, most notably, the Olympic Games.
Hosted in the sacred grounds of Olympia, the Games went beyond mere athletic competitions between rival city-states. From the outset, participating city-states were expected to observe a truce imposed by all parties. Breaching this ceasefire was equivalent to perpetrating a sacrilegious act against Zeus, whose symbolic presence seemed to pervade the grounds…
For the remainder of the year, the colossal ivory and gold statue dominated peace treaties and diplomatic gatherings. Standing distinct from the countless other temples, the temple of Zeus at Olympia embodied the unity of the ancient Greeks.
