The Temple of Zeus and its Sculptures

The Temple of Zeus, completed in 456 BC, was one of the largest temples in Greece, and perhaps the most renowned example of Doric architecture in the Classical world. Today, none of the columns remain standing; earthquakes have taken their toll, and after the early Christian era, Olympia was abandoned to the flooding of the Kladeos River and the changing route of the Alpheios River. The building held six columns on each end, with thirteen on the flanks, and, except for the sculpted elements, was built entirely of local shell limestone.

The sculptures, however, are the best preserved of their era. The East Pediment depicted the preparations for the chariot race between Oinomaos and Pelops, with Zeus presiding in the center. All the figures are sculpted in the round, with the exception of the three inner horses, and are one and one half times life size. The West Pediment depicts the battle between Lapiths and Centaurs, with Apollo in the center. The metopes from the pronaos and opisthodomos illustrate the Twelve Labors of Hercules, slightly under life size.


Olympia, Temple of Zeus: fallen columns from S of temple
Photograph by Michael Bennett

  • The Temple of Zeus was built in the Doric style, which was characterized by columns that had simple capitals, no bases, and heavy proportions. It was a peripteral temple, meaning the inner chamber was surrounded by a columned porch. The architect, a native Elean named Libon, constructed the temple of a local limestone which has a distinctive, shelly texture.

  • The date of the temple's completion is based on the information Pausanias gives us about some related historical events. Pausanias writes that the temple was built from the spoils of the Eleans' victory over the Pisans, which probably took place around 470 B.C. The temple must have been finished, or close to completion, by 457 B.C., when the Spartans dedicated a golden shield to Zeus, and hung it at the top of the eastern end of the temple, following their military victory at Tanagra.

  • The temple was the first major building erected in Greece following the Persian invasion of Greece. It is the first significant monument of the Early Classical period, and its sculpture in particular illustrates the dramatic stylistic change which took place and marks the transition from the Archaic period. Instead of the stiff postures of Archaic statues, Early Classical works evolved more naturalistic poses and realistic rendering of the muscles. The faces of classical sculptures reflected an impassive calm, rather than the smiles that characterized archaic figures.

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This exhibit is a subset of materials from the Perseus Project database and is copyrighted. Please send us your comments.