| Olympia is an ancient sanctuary in the prefecture of | | | | To the east of the sanctuary was the Hippodrome, an |
| Elis Peloponnese. A magnificent archaeological site, the | | | | immense oval structure used as a stadium where |
| sanctuary has been inhabited since prehistoric times, | | | | horse and chariot racing were held. Although very little |
| and in the 10th century B.C, the area became a | | | | remains of the hippodrome, scholars who have |
| religious center for the worship of Zeus and Hera, the | | | | reconstructed the stadium from ancient texts and |
| chief couple of the Olympian gods. The sanctuary was | | | | manuscripts, feel that the structure covered a total |
| also the site of the Olympic Games held in honor of | | | | length of 1200 meters, and the track was perhaps |
| Zeus from the 8th century BC till the 3rd century AD, | | | | lapped 3-12 times depending on the type of |
| when the Byzantine Emperor Theodosius decided to | | | | competition. |
| stop them as a pagan practice. | | | | To the northern side of Olympia is located the Doric |
| The sacred region of Olympia enclosed a number of | | | | temple of Hera, wife of Zeus and the most important |
| buildings arranged without any particular form or order. | | | | of the Greek female deities. The temple was |
| Within the sacred enclosure, are situated the temples | | | | destroyed in an earthquake in the 4th century AD and |
| dedicated to Zeus and Hera. Built around 450 BC, the | | | | its ruins can be seen today. To the north of the |
| temple of Zeus occupied the most important position | | | | sanctuary, lies the Prytaneion, the residence of priests |
| among the local and pan-Hellenic deities. The statue of | | | | and magistrates. It was also the venue for feasts and |
| Zeus, a magnificent piece of art sculpted by the 5th | | | | celebrations for the winners of the Olympic Games. It |
| century sculptor, painter and architect Phedias, used to | | | | was here that the early Olympic flames burnt. The |
| stand to a height of 43 feet and this was the most | | | | only structure on the sacred sanctuary dedicated to a |
| impressive statue in the ancient world. Unfortunately, | | | | human is the Philippeion, a circular memorial of ivory |
| not a part of this statue survives today and we know | | | | and gold, which had once housed the statues of the |
| about it from narrations of ancient travellers. It is said | | | | family of Philip II of Macedonia. |
| that Phedias took about twelve years to complete it. | | | | All the archeological treasures that have been |
| The head of Zeus was adorned with a sculpted | | | | excavated on the ancient site of Olympia are housed |
| wreath of olive sprays, and he would hold in his right | | | | in the Archaeological Museum right next to the site. |
| hand an ivory and gold figure of Nike, the goddess of | | | | Ancient pediments, rare statues, terracotta, bronzes, a |
| victory. In his left hand, there was a scepter with an | | | | fine collection of artifacts from the Olympic Games, as |
| eagle perched on top. This statue was located in the | | | | well as other exhibits of immense historical significance |
| temple of Zeus, the god who was honored during the | | | | dating from the prehistoric to the Roman period stand |
| Olympic Games. | | | | out in this very interesting and well-labeled museum. |