Temple of Zeus Olympia
Temple's Construction
The Temple of Zeus was built as a dedication to Zeus, it was built between 470 and was completed before 456 BC, approximately 13 years to complete, a few months more than the Statue of Zeus inside the temple.
The main material used for the structure of the building was of local limestone which was unattractive and was poor quality, and so it was coated with a thin layer of stucco to give it an appearance of marble like to all the sculptural decoration on the temple.
The sculptures and gargoyles were made of marbles and Parian. The Temple has 6 columns at the end and 13 columns along each sides of the temple, the temple has a high of 12m, and measures 64.12 meters by 27.66 meters The height of each columns is 10.43 and 2.25 meters in diameter at the base.
The temple was burnt by order of Theodosius II in AD 426. Badly damaged by the fire, it was finally thrown down by the earthquakes of AD 551 and 552. The temple was finally thrown down by the earthquakes of AD 551 and 552 due to it's bad shape from the fire in AD 426
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Statue of Zeus Olympia
The Statue was approximately 13m (43 ft) high, and was made by the sculptor Phidias in his workshop on the site at Olympia.The statue's completion took approximately 12 years.
Parts of The Body
On the head was a sculpted wreath of olive sprays. In the right hand, Zeus held a figure of Nike which is the goddess of victory, and held in his left hand a scepter made with many types of metal, with an eagle perched on the top. Zeus' robe and sandals were made of gold. is garments were carved with animals and with lilies. The throne was decorated with gold, precious stones, ebony, and ivory. At each foot of the throne there was a victory depicted as a dancing girl.
Temple of Poseidon Sounion
Legend About The Cape Souion
According to Greek Mythology, Cape Sounion is the spot where Aegeus leapt to his death off the cliff, thus giving his name to the Aegean Sea. The story goes that Aegeus was anxiously looking out from Sounion. He was despaired when he saw a black sail on his son Theseus's ship, returning from Crete. This led him believing that his son had been killed in his contest with the fearful Minotaur. The Minotaur was confined by its owner, King Minos of Crete. Every year, according to the myth, the Athenians were forced to send seven men and seven women to Minos as tribute. These youths were placed in the labyrinth to be eaten by the Minotaur. Theseus had volunteered to go with the third tribute and attempt to slay the beast. He had agreed with his father that if he survived the contest, he would raise a white sail on his return.
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It is thought that The Temple of Poseidon Sounion was built by Iktinos in 444 BC.
Sailors in ancient times used the temple as a land mark since it looks gleaming white when is was viewed from the sea.
The Temple of Poseidon Souion was mentioned Odyssey as the place where Menelaus stopped during his return from Troy to bury his helmsman, Phrontes Onetorides.
The Temple of Poseidon that now stands at Soúnio was built in 444 BC on top of the older temple ruins