Temple Of Zeus

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Located in Olympia, Greece, the Temple of Zeus at Olympia is considered to be a near perfect example of Doric style architecture. Construction of the temple began around 470 BC and continued until approximately 456 BC. The main architect of the temple was Libon of Elis, however the sculptor of the pediments is currently unknown. The temple is a peripteral hexastyle building that includes thirteen columns on the sides and six on the front and back, as well as an East/West orientation. The columns are made of limestone found locally, and then covered in stucco. There are only a few features of this temple that are made out of marble; one of them being the pediments. The temple is comprised of the pronaos, the opisthodomos, and the cella. The cella is divided into three rooms by two rows of seven columns, and at the far end once stood a monumental statue of Zeus. This statue, made of ivory and gold and designed by Pheidias, is considered to be one of the Seven Wonders of the World. The western pediment portrays the battle between the Lapiths and the Centaurs, which is centered around a figure of Apollo. The eastern pediment features a chariot race between Pelops and Oinomaos, while Zeus himself watches over. The twelve metopes, six at each entrance, depict the twelve Labors of Herakles. The Temple of Zeus at Olympia was burnt down circa 426 AD, and archeological earthquakes destroyed what remained of the standing temple.
Judith Barringer, author of the article entitled The Temple of Zeus at Olympia, Heroes, and Athletes, suggests that since the discovery of the temple, the two pediments and six metopes have been treated as entirely separate architectural pieces. Barringer proposes that the pediments and metopes b...

... middle of paper ...

... has to be a common theme among these pieces so that it relates back to the temple. The theme is strength and glory in relation to the local people, as well as a thematic location to the temple.
Barringer presents her thesis in an honest and complete fashion. She stated her argument and then continued to point out the arguments and theories of other people to prove her point further. There are so many conflicting theories and interpretations about the Temple of Zeus at Olympia, however Barringer makes herself aware of the evidence given and also explains what the ancient Greeks would have seen during the time of the temples use, which makes her argument more successful.

Works Cited

"Temple of Zeus." Temple of Zeus. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Mar. 2014.

Barringer, J.M. “The Temple of Zeus at Olympia, Heroes, and Athletes,” Hesperia 74 (2005), pp. 211-241.

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