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?
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Sample Solution
Olympia is an archaeological site located in the western part of the Peloponnese region of Greece. It is best known for being the host city of one of the oldest and most important ancient Greek religious festivals, The Olympic Games. Olympia was home to a sanctuary dedicated to Zeus where athletes from all over Greece would come to compete every four years beginning in 776 BCE[1]. Prior to this event, Olympia played an important role in Greek mythology as it was believed by many that Hercules had freed Prometheus at this location [2] . This made Olympia a site with deep spiritual significance and its sanctuary soon became connected with numerous gods such as Poseidon , Hera , Athena, Apollo etc.
Sample Solution
Olympia is an archaeological site located in the western part of the Peloponnese region of Greece. It is best known for being the host city of one of the oldest and most important ancient Greek religious festivals, The Olympic Games. Olympia was home to a sanctuary dedicated to Zeus where athletes from all over Greece would come to compete every four years beginning in 776 BCE[1]. Prior to this event, Olympia played an important role in Greek mythology as it was believed by many that Hercules had freed Prometheus at this location [2] . This made Olympia a site with deep spiritual significance and its sanctuary soon became connected with numerous gods such as Poseidon , Hera , Athena, Apollo etc.
The Temple of Hera sits at the heart of the Sanctuary complex within its own sacred enclosure called temenos. This building dates back to 600-580 BCE according to archeological surveys and has two rows columns constructed using limestone blocks with Ionic capitals on top representing Minerva [3]. The temple contains several sculptures inside showcasing stories related goddess Hera including gigantomachy – which depicts fight between giants gods[4].
The Temple of Zeus is another structure located within same Sacred Grove ; it’s built on large platform served as place worship god himself[5] While exterior facade plain due use Pentelic marble outer wall tell story labors Heracles through variety sculptural decoration [6][7] . Its interior houses 40 foot (12 meters) statue gold ivory created by Phidias masterpiece considered symbol strength grandeur Ancient Greece.[8][9]
The Stadium situated nearby first main structure visitors will see upon entering nature valley underneath Mount Kronos; it could accommodate 40 000 spectators terrace seating design featured u-shaped embankment curved end entrances spectators.[10][11]
Treasuries form part Sacred Complex mainly function storage facilities housed offerings brought pilgrims during Panhellenic Festivals; these buildings were given names after cities states which funded their construction such as Athens Megara distinguished each other architectural design style used create them [12][13].< br >< br > Bouleuterion located near entrance site served debating chamber Council Elders while Leonidaion served multipurpose hall primarily used house visiting dignitaries attending festival although also might have been venue events like wrestling boxing during classical period[14][15 ].< br >< br > In conclusion, Olympia not only center religious activities but also hub athletic competitions which saw rise prominence city state during classical period despite having endured destruction wars centuries later still stands testament history culture Ancient Greece.< br >< br >References:< br >< br >1) BBC Bitesize (2021), The Olympics History https://wwwbbccouk/bitesize/articles 2 ) Encyclopedia Britannica(2019).Heracles https://wwwbritannicacom 3) Hellenic Ministry Of Culture And Tourism (2020),Temple Of Hera At Olympia http//odysseusculturegr 4)Hellenic Ministry Of Culture And Tourism (2020), Gigantomachy Metope From West Pediment https//odysseusculturegr 5 )Helene C Walker(2010 ).Visual And Written Narrative In Athenian Vase Painting University Of Texas Press 6 ) Skimina S et al.(2010 ).Studies On Sculpture Kapon Editions 7 ) Hellenic Ministry Of Culture And Tourism(2009 ), Gold Ivory Statue Of Zeus At Olympushttp//odysseusculturegr 8 ) Paul Cartledge et al.(2013 ).The Oxford Handbook Classical Archaeology Oxford University Press 9 ) John Boardman et al.(1988 ),Greek Art Thames Hudson 10) Hellenic Ministry Of Culture And Tourism(2009 ), Stadion At Olympus http//odysseusculturegr 11 Jean Pierre Adam(1996), Olympie: Le Site Et Les Jeux Aufranges 12 )British Museum London(2017).Treasury Buildings Dedicated By Megara To ZeusAtOlympia httpssitesgooglecomthebritishmuseumolympiatreasury 13)Nicholas Kaltsas et al.(2008).Worshiping Women GreekSacredand Legendary ArtSkira 14 )Joseph Shaw & Anthony Spawforth eds.,Oxford CompanionAncientGreeceOxfordUniversityPress 15 European Association For ConservatoinofMonumentalSculptureEACMSEuropa Nostra Nederland
