Temple of Zeus at Olympia and its metopes

2024 Author: Harold Hamphrey | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 10:06

We will go on a real journey and see amazing things. We learn something new, we make discoveries. Ahead of us are adventures and miracles created by human hands. Looking at some, it's hard to imagine that this is even possible. For example, the Temple of Zeus at Olympia. This amazing building keeps not only the architectural, but also the cultural heritage of ancient Greece. Here myths come to life, and their heroes appear before the guests of the temple. But the most interesting thing is that ancient stones keep the memory of those legends that are not known to everyone.

Miracles past and present

In every religion and faith there are magic numbers, which are attributed to various properties. These include three, six, nine, thirteen and seven. It was the latter that was chosen to determine the best structures of antiquity. There is probably no person who has not heard about the seven wonders of the world. These are incredible architectural structures of the past, stunning the imagination with their majesty and pomposity. The list included the gardens of Babylon, the temple of Artemis, a mausoleum and even a lighthouse.

Why exactly seven and not ten, for example? This list was compiled thousands of years ago when people worshiped the gods. One ofof them was Apollo, it was to him that the number seven belonged. It spoke of perfection, as the god of light seemed to people. He was also called Phoebos, which means "radiant, shining".

Time passed, progress allowed people to create more and more unusual structures. Today, such man-made wonders can be found in many countries. Perhaps even now, somewhere, a new structure is being erected that will amaze the imagination of people.

Gods of antiquity

It is difficult to say what allowed one nation to become more prosperous, educated and cultured. Perhaps their faith gave them strength, moved them to the heights of perfection.

In ancient Greece, there were several gods that people worshiped in an attempt to achieve their goals. Almost any natural phenomenon was attributed to their influence. God of the north wind Boreas, lord of sunlight Apollo, lord of the sea depths Poseidon. These were dozens of fictional male and female creatures.

People believed that life on earth depended on their moods. They tried to appease the gods so as not to incur their wrath. Places of worship were created, where thousands of believers flocked. Over time, entire sanctuaries were erected, for example, the temple of Zeus in Athens.

Magnificent structure

In 471-456 BC. e. a building of extraordinary architecture and grandeur was erected. This is the Temple of Zeus at Olympia, designed by Libon, an architect of ancient Greece. Thousands of pilgrims flocked here to kneel before God and pray for forgiveness.sins.

Today it would be difficult enough to appreciate the greatness of this structure. But fortunately, many fragments have survived to this day. Scientists, historians and archaeologists, having studied the writings of the ancient Greek Pausanias, were able to recreate the view that the Temple of Olympian Zeus once had.

Gables

If we could look at the building in those distant times, when it shone with its grandeur, it would be impossible to look away. What are some of its pediments. This is the completion of the facade of the building, which is limited by the vaults of the roof and the cornice, forming a triangular shape.

From the west, the temple of Zeus in Greece was decorated with paintings of the battle between centaurs and lapiths. According to the myth, the inhabitants of Thessaly invited their neighbors to the wedding feast. But the tipsy centaur decided to steal the bride, which brought anger on his tribe. A struggle ensued, during which the Lapiths won. This fragment was not chosen by chance. For the ancient Greeks, he was the personification of the victory of civilization over illiteracy and savagery.

The eastern part is decorated in a slightly different style. It depicts the myth of Polepos and King Enomai, who died at his hands. The figures look more static and are located far from each other. Historians tend to believe that these two parts were made by different masters.

Metopes

Very often the upper part of the buildings was decorated with a series of stone slabs and triglyphs. The former were often covered with relief images. Such slabs are called metopes. Today, some of it can be seen inMuseum of Greece, but most of them are kept in the Louvre.

All the metopes of the temple of Zeus in Olympia are united by one plot - the twelve labors of Hercules. This character was not chosen by chance. For the ancient Greeks, his exploits meant the victory of a reasonable person over the incomprehensible and inexplicable forces of evil. The images were arranged in such a way that the pilgrims began the review from the first and ended with the last. All these extraordinary architectural delights were just preparation for seeing the main attraction.

If you look at the temple of Zeus at Olympia (photos or drawings), you can see that its metopes are somewhat elongated vertically. Most likely, it was the architect's idea. He wanted to give the building maximum grandeur, a kind of upward aspiration.

Wonder of the World

Despite all the splendor of the building, it was not appreciated as worthy as the statue that was located inside it. The Temple of Zeus in Athens was not honored to become a wonder of the world. Although he became the abode of such.

Zeus sat on a huge throne in the center of the structure. It was a statue about 15 meters in size. Just imagine the height of a house with four floors.

Zeus looked amazing: huge, shining, with fiery eyes. The architect managed to achieve all this with the help of light, which was refracted in the right places and illuminated the face of the statue. The whole body of the god was made of gold, and the throne was made of cedar and ebony. The god's head was practically touching the ceiling of the building.

People from all over the world came to see him. Ordinary people and great rulers. This spectacle left no one indifferent. And it was a great demonstration of scientific achievements, the development of the ancient Greeks.

Many pilgrims fell on their backs at the sight of the statue. Some could not stand up for a long time, afraid to look into the eyes of the formidable Zeus.

Tough story

The author of this grandiose structure was Phidias, a sculptor from Athens. In order not to be mistaken with the size, a huge building was created. The parameters are the same as the temple of Zeus in Olympia. The author worked with his brother and student.

Later, the statue underwent several restorations. What only she did not survive: earthquakes, lightning. The gold trim has been stolen more than once.

The Roman emperor set out to transport Zeus along with other landmarks that testified to his conquests. But as the legends say, when the workers came to the temple, the statue began to laugh out loud. Terribly frightened, they fled in all directions. Naturally, after this, no one dared to make another attempt.

When the Christian faith began to be popularized, and it reached a certain rise, pagan temples began to close. From some records of those times it is known that the statue was moved to Constantinople. And there she was destroyed by fire, because her entire frame was made of wood.

Other temples

Not only the temple of Olympian Zeus was the jewel of those places. The sanctuary of Hera Hippodamia is located in the gardens of the city. There was an altar to Zeus made from the ashes of sacrificial animals.

The grove was surrounded by the venues of the Olympic Games: stages, hippodrome, gymnasium and theater. These buildings were located in a semicircle. They were decorated with statues of gods and heroes of that time. Immediately behind them was erected another semicircle. These were the seats for spectators. Here they feasted and traded. During the games, Olympia turned into a huge market. Thousands of people flocked to one place - it was great business.

Archaeological finds

For many years little was known about this wonderful city. All that was revealed to the eyes of people was a few columns and walls. Passing by, one could only see animals that walked along the ruins of a once great place. Excavations were carried out only in the XIX century. For French archaeologists, the temple of Zeus at Olympia opened several of its metopes and the base.

Later, the Greek authorities decided to take the excavations seriously. German archaeologists set off in search of adventure and new discoveries. A treaty was signed: everything they found belonged by law to Greece. Little could be revealed. Therefore, few people then saw the temple of Olympian Zeus live - only photos and drawings of it.

Archaeologists have put a lot of effort into finally studying the area in detail, making a map of it. Previously unknown temples, facilities for the Olympic Games were opened. They found unique works of art and precious inscriptions.

The pediments of the temple of Zeus, the statue of Victory, "Hermes with the baby Dionysus", the work of Praxiteles are all incredible sculptural creations.

Suchdiscoveries not only made it possible to study the development of architecture and creativity. Many records found during excavations shed light on political relations in Ancient Greece.

Better to see once

No matter how much we describe the grandeur and unsurpassed architecture of that time, it is impossible to imagine what it really is. No drawings or photographs can replace the feeling when you see everything in reality.

To plunge into this atmosphere, to feel the centuries-old "breath" of the walls, go to Athens. The temple of Olympian Zeus is represented by fifteen columns and a foundation. In the archaeological park, you can also see Roman baths, basilicas of the 5th century.

It would seem that stones can be interesting. Show some imagination. Imagine what events they experienced, what kind of people they saw. Touch the ancient world. It is said that the stones store all the information received over a long time of existence. Perhaps you will discover their secrets and wonders.