lesson 9- the temple of zeus at Olympia

Question 1

what year do the pediments on the temple of zeus date from?

Answer 1

456 BC

Question 2

who was the sculptor of the pediments on the temple of zeus?

Answer 2

Pheidias

Question 3

what does the eastern pediment depict on the temple of zeus?

Answer 3

Depicted the chariot race between pelops, zeus’ grandson and oinomaos. Pelops, a Greek hero whose shrine is located within the atlis, thereafter founded the olympic games. In the centre stands Zeus, presiding over the event and ensuring that the hero defeats the barbaric oinomaos, who beheaded all previous opponents. On either side of the pediment were sculpted personifications of the two main rivers of olympia, kladeos and alpheios, bringing the mythical scene even closer to the setting of the temple.

Question 4

what does the western pediment on the temple of zeus depict?

Answer 4

The west pediment portrayed the centauromachy, the mythical battle between the part-horse, part-man centaurs and the lapiths, a people from thessaly. It is thought to have symbolised the victory of civilisation over barbarity. In the centre, Apollo dominating the scene.

Question 5

what do the metopes on the temple of zeus depict?

Answer 5

The metopes of the temple portrayed the twelve labours of heracles, aided by the goddess athena. Heracles was lauded particularly by athletes, due to his strength and agility. A son of Zeus, he was also believed to be the founder of the olympic games. He was therefore also the recipient of worship at this panhellenic sanctuary and a series of altars stood in his honour around the atlis.

Question 6

how did pausanias describe the statue of zeus at olympia?

Answer 6

-The statue is made of gold and ivory
-On Zeus’ head is a garland of olive shoots
-in his right hand he holds a nike (victory)
-In his left hand is a gold sceptre, the bird sitting on the sceptre is an eagle
-his robe has embroidered figures of animals and the flowers of a lily