Olympia and the Olympic Games
Give appropriate background to the site of Olympia. Where is it? How is the site controlled as the venue for one of the Crown Games? (Think: who controls Olympia?) When did religious activities start at the site—and what did that entail? Are there important myths that are connected to the site that add to its history?
Explore the site, with a brief overview of important elements that illustrate that this is not only a religious sanctuary—but also a site for athletic competitions. Choose at least three of the following structures to describe and briefly explain their cultural and historical significance at the site of Olympia:
Temple of Hera
Temple of Zeus and its architectural decoration
Stadium
Treasuries
Bouleuterion
Leonidaion
Nymphaeum of Herodes Atticus and Regilla
When concluding your paper, consider thinking about: why is Olympia, the site and the games that occurred there, so important for Greek society and culture?
Sample Solution
Olympia is an archaeological site located in the Peloponnese region of Greece that was once home to one of the most important religious and athletic events in Ancient Greek history: the Crown Games, or Olympiads. In addition to its significance as a spiritual sanctuary, Olympia served as a central meeting point for all Greeks, regardless of social class or political affiliations. The religious activities at Olympia began around 1000 BC when it became an official cult center dedicated to Zeus,who was believed to have descended from Mount Olympus to the valley floor below. At this time rituals such as animal sacrifice began taking place on site and a network of treasuries were built by various cities throughout Greece to finance these sacrifices.
The most prominent structure at Olympia is the Temple of Hera, which dates back to 7th century BC and functioned both as an altar for religious ceremonies and a display area for statues created by many celebrated sculptors of antiquity including Phidias and Praxiteles. A short distance away stands another significant temple —the majestic Temple of Zeus—which is said to have been completed around 435 BC with sculptures by Phidias inside it. This impressive building was surrounded by tall columns carved with intricate entablatures depicting scenes from myths related to Zeus’ dominion over the Olympic games such as his battle against Typhon or his chariot race against Apollo for control over heaven's thunderbolts.
The crown jewel among all structures at Olympia though is undoubtedly its stadium where athletes from all corners of Greece came together every four years since 776 BC in order participate in foot races known simply as “stade” (a sprint lasting roughly 200 meters). Spectators too would flock here during those times not only cheering their favorite competitors but also enjoying musical performance conducted by distinguished musicians like Pindaros himself whose hymns praised victors after their victory laps after winning any given event.
Other noteworthy monuments include two treasuries –one built circa 590 BC originally meant for offerings made towards Poseidon–and Bouleuterion constructed in 420BC which housed meetings between representatives from different cities during Olympic Games period; Leonidaion built near late 4th century AD however that served primarily rich out-of-town guests; Finally Nymphaeum erected around 160 AD funded entirely by Herodes Atticus and Regilla –wife respectively–which showcased architectural splendor complete with fountains on either side its high column hallways echoing cool water spray through marble terraces within shadows several olive trees across its grounds!
In conclusion, Olympia holds great historical importance because it serves both religious purposes –it being home some oldest shrines ancient world connected incredible mythology associated them– while also providing platform for competitive physical endeavors such military competition or sports traditionally part Greek culture without distinction social class political affiliation! All these elements combined make Olympia one most iconic places modern civilization can learn much about past grandeur greatness our predecessors!