Temple of Olympian Zeus
Athens Municipality
Contents
8 sections · tap a section for its opening lines1Temple of Olympian Zeus
Welcome to the Temple of Olympian Zeus, also known as the Olympieion. As you stand in this vast, open park, it is impossible not to be overwhelmed by the sheer scale of the ruins. …
Listen in the app2The Tyrants' Ambition — The Archaic Beginnings
The story of the Olympieion begins in 515 BCE, during the rule of the tyrant Peisistratus and his sons. They wanted to build a temple so grand that it would serve as a permanent symbol of their power and wealth, outshining even…
Listen in the app3Hadrian’s Gift — The Roman Completion
The man who finally finished the temple was the Roman Emperor Hadrian, a known 'Philhellene'—a lover of all things Greek. In 131 CE, over six hundred years after the first stone was laid, Hadrian dedicated the completed temple…
Listen in the app4The Fallen Giant — The Storm of 1852
Of the 16 columns that have survived into the modern era, one is not standing. In the southwestern corner of the site, you will see a column that lies on the ground, broken into a series of perfectly circular drums, looking like…
Listen in the app5The Corinthian Capital — A Masterpiece of Foliage
Let your gaze travel up to the top of the standing columns. You are looking at some of the finest examples of Corinthian capitals in existence. …
Listen in the app6The Site’s Decline — From Temple to Quarry
Like many ancient monuments, the Temple of Olympian Zeus suffered greatly after the fall of the Roman Empire. In 267 CE, only about 130 years after its completion, the temple was likely damaged during the Herulian invasion, a…
Listen in the app7A Panoramic Intersection — Ancient and Modern
One of the most striking aspects of the Olympieion is its location. From the center of the temple platform, you have a 360-degree view that connects all the major landmarks of Athens. …
Listen in the app8Temple of Olympian Zeus
As we conclude our tour of the Temple of Olympian Zeus, take one final look at the standing columns. They are remarkably resilient, having survived centuries of neglect and the destructive forces of nature and man. …
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What is Temple of Olympian Zeus?
Temple of Olympian Zeus is a place in Athens Municipality with 8 story sections on Tellby. You can read the opening of each section on this page; the sound plays in the app.
| Location | Athens Municipality |
|---|---|
| Type | Heritage |
| Story sections | 8 |
| Text language | English |
| Coordinates | 37.9694, 23.7331 |
| Last updated |
