History of Temple of Olympian Zeus
The Timeless History of the Temple of Zeus
One significant part of the Temple of Olympian Zeus's history was its function as a sanctuary for Athenians. Under Hadrian, a new neighbourhood was built around the Olympieion to supplement the Athenian Acropolis. The temple was a popular spot for local people to relax because of its beautiful surroundings. They liked to spend their peaceful time on the banks of the Ilissos around the temple, according to Plato's accounts of Socrates. Folks sat here and discussed about philosophical matters while sitting here with their "feet in the water."
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Ancient Athens became the Roman Hadrianopolis when the Arch of Hadrian was built close to the Temple of Zeus. Greek inscriptions on the arch show how the city changed from being the land of Theseus to becoming the city of Hadrian. During this time, the old building was eventually finished and transformed into an octostyle dipteral temple with 104 Corinthian columns. Moreover, large ivory and gold cult figures of Zeus were placed in the temple. This created an illusion of strolling through a dense forest.
Designed and created by the Roman architect Decimus Cossutius, the Corinthian capitals are an integral part of the history of Temple of Zeus. These stunning marble capitals were invented by Peloponnesians which combine natural-looking acanthus leaves with intricate designs. On every capital, a central stem rises to a flower that overlaps the abacus between the spiral scrolls going up. The designs were added under the Hellenistic construction period of Antiochus IV Epiphanes and were said to be inspired by baskets of growing acanthus plants. Only 15 of the original 104 capitals survive within the temple grounds today.
Must Checkout: Temple of Olympian Zeus Facts
Although the history of Temple of Olympian Zeus is a testament to the structure’s dedication to the Olympian King of Gods, the main intent was the worship of Hadrian. Since the construction was completed under the Roman Emperor, he promoted the Athenian place of worship as the base of an imperial cult in Eastern Greece. The Olympienion upon completion had four stone portraits of Hadrian at the entrance and a massive colossus behind the temple, signifying his influence and power. As he established Athens as the Panhellenic headquarters, he also constructed another temple dedicated to Zeus Panhellenios and Hera near the Olympienon to reinforce his importance.
Various attempts were made to obtain building materials from the incomplete project, which persisted even after it was completed. A new city wall was required when Athens experienced an attack by northern tribes about a century after the original construction. Stones from the Temple of Zeus were used to build the Valerian Wall. This procedure took ages and many iterations. Only 21 of the 104 original marble columns from the "Palace of Hadrian" had survived. After several earthquakes, just fifteen columns remain standing today.
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The existence of Stylite monks is one of the most interesting facts about the history of the Temple of Zeus. Over the past few decades, the temple's fifteen columns inspired many artworks. The majority of these include an odd construction located at the top of the historic marble columns. Records state that the columns were occupied by Stylite monks after the Byzantines used them as guard towers. In the 19th century, the monks settled at the tall columns to be nearer to God.
The Temple of Zeus was Destroyed by an Act of GOD
The most curious detail about the history of Temple of Olympian Zeus was regarding the destruction of the magnificent complex. Many scholars for centuries speculated that the Greek structure was destroyed by the Roman Emperor Theodosius II when he began to embrace Christianity. Since he had made intense efforts to spread Christianity throughout the ancient world, he was believed to have ordered the burning down of the Temple of Zeus in 426 CE. Today, most historians agree that he indeed damaged the temple, although debate about his complete responsibility for the decimation. Another popular theory was that the Byzantines pulled the columns down by ropes and completed the destruction started by Theodosius.
However, as the nineteenth-century excavations began and continued over decades, scholarly theories began to change. It was now generally believed that the great temple complex was destroyed in a massive earthquake in the sixth century.
More archaeological excavations are being conducted at the Temple of Zeus to discover more hidden facts, which would still need a couple of decades.
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Historical Splendor of the Temple of Zeus
One of the most popular attractions in Athens, the Temple of Olympian Zeus is a majestic example of Greco-Roman architecture. The temple, which is renowned as one of the largest in the ancient world, is located in the Acropolis area of the city. As you explore the ruins of this once-magnificent structure, listen to fascinating stories about its history from an audio guide. Discover the legends of Zeus, the King of Gods, and learn how the temple developed over the centuries. Admire the Gate of Hadrian, the Themistoclean Wall, the Temple of Kronos and Rhea, and the Doric Temple of Apollo Delphinos during your tour.
The best time to visit the Temple of Zeus is in the early morning hours. During this period, the crowds are fewer and the ruins look spectacular under the morning sun. You would need at least two hours to completely explore the site as you admire its mesmerising architecture.
FAQ's of History of Temple of Zeus
When was the Temple of Zeus built?
The construction of the Temple of Zeus first began in 520 BCE under the Roman ruler Peisistratus. The process was stalled and restarted numerous times over six centuries, and the structure was finally completed in 131 CE under Emperor Hadrian.
What is the history of the Temple of Zeus?
The history of Temple of Zeus Athens starts in 520 BCE when construction was initiated by Roman ruler Peisistratus. After a gap of a few centuries, Seleucid ruler Antiochus IV Epiphanes restarted the process but was again stalled. Under Roman Emperor Hadrian, the temple was completed in 131 CE. It is believed that it was later destroyed in a sixth-century earthquake and was rediscovered in nineteenth-century excavations.
When was the Temple of Zeus destroyed?
Scholars differ on the timeline of the destruction of the Temple of Zeus. Earlier scholars believed that Roman Emperor Theodosius destroyed the temple by burning it down in 426 CE. However, recent excavations show that the structure was finally ruined in a sixth-century CE earthquake.
Is there any story of Fallen Columns?
Yes, the most well-known story about the Fallen Columns is that their stones were used for different construction purposes over the centuries. Since the sixteenth column fell during a nineteenth-century storm, only fifteen columns survive out of the original 104 marble structures.
How long did it take to build the Temple of Zeus?
It took more than six centuries to construct the Temple of Zeus. The construction began under the Romans in 520 BCE and was abandoned several times. It was finally during the reign of Emperor Hadrian that the temple was completed in 131 CE.