DK Travel : Athens : Temple of Olympian Zeus

Temple of Olympian Zeus

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The majestic temple to the ruler of the pantheon was the largest on mainland Greece. Inside stood two colossal gold and ivory statues: one of the god, and one of the Roman Emperor Hadrian. Though the temple’s construction began in 515 BC, political turmoil delayed its completion nearly 700 years. To thank Hadrian for finishing it, in AD 131 the Athenians built a two-storey arch next to the temple, whose inscription announces Hadrian’s claim on the city.

Top 10 Sights

1. Temple of Olympian Zeus

Zeus had long been worshipped on this site, and there was at least one other temple to him before this one. Sixteen magnificent columns survive from the original 104.
2. Hadrian’s Arch

Emperor Hadrian had the west side of this arch inscribed “This is Athens, the ancient city of Theseus”, and the east side “This is the city of Hadrian and not of Theseus”, distinguishing the cities of ancient legend and modern reality.
3. Ruins of Houses

Ancient pipes, foundations, and domestic objects show that people lived and built houses here between the 5th century BC and 2nd century AD – the whole time it took to build the temple.
4. Themistoklean Gates

Around the site are remains of the wall built by political leader Themistokles in 479 BC, to defend Athens from continuing onslaughts by the Persians.
5. Roman Baths

Among the many ruins of “Hadrianopolis”, the first structures of Hadrian’s new city, are these complex-looking foundations, actually the best-preserved Roman bath house in Athens. It once had a coloured mosaic floor.
6. Valerian Wall

The Roman emperor Valerian commissioned this wall in the third century AD. Many of the temples it surrounded were demolished to provide marble for the wall. Having been temporarily closed to the public, it reopened in 2004.
7. Temple of Apollo Delphinios and Artemis Delphinia

The temple was built to the god-and-goddess siblings Apollo and Artemis, celebrating them in the form of dolphins.
8. Law Court at the Delphinion

Now mostly in ruins, this law court, from 500 BC, is thought to be on the site of the palace of mythical king Aegeus, the father of Theseus (see Theseus’s Arrival in Athens).
9. Temple of Kronos and Rhea

This temple to Zeus’s parents was built in the 5th century BC; now only the foundations remain. Rhea saved Zeus from Kronos, and Zeus then took dominion of the universe as ruler of the gods.
10. Temple of Zeus Panhellenios

Hadrian promoted the cult of Zeus Panhellenios (“ruler of all the Greeks”) and associated himself with the god. Offers to god and emperor were made in this temple, later demolished for the Valerian wall.

Practical Information

To get the best light for photographs of the column capitals, come between 3 and 4pm. For a bite to eat, head across the street to Zappeion Gardens to either elegant Aigli café and restaurant or one of the handful of other cafés spread through the park. Vas. Olgas at Amalias 210 922 6330 www.culture.gr Summer: 8:30am–7pm daily; winter: 8:30am–3pm daily Adm €2 or included with Acropolis ticket