Is it possible that this collection of stones before us was once the foundation of the grandest temple in Greece? This is Zeus’s throne. More accurately it is part of the Temple of Olympian Zeus. Here, we stand at the heart of ancient Athens.
The Temple of Olympian Zeus, also known as the Olympieion, was dedicated to Zeus. Zeus was the king of the Olympian gods. Its construction began in the 6th century BC. It was a project initiated by the Athenian tyrants. They wanted to create the greatest temple in the ancient world.
The ambitious project experienced numerous starts and stops. It wasn’t completed until the reign of Roman Emperor Hadrian in the 2nd century AD. That’s about 638 years after it started. During the Roman period, it was the largest temple in Greece. It housed one of the largest cult statues in the ancient world.
Imagine this temple in its full glory. It had 104 colossal columns. Each column stood 17 meters tall and 2 meters in diameter. Inside was a colossal statue of Zeus made of gold and ivory. Hadrian sought to imitate Phidias’ famous statue of Athena Parthenos in the Parthenon.
The temple’s glory was short-lived. It fell into disuse after a barbarian invasion in 267 AD. The temple was pillaged. It was likely never repaired. In the centuries that followed, the temple was extensively quarried. People took building materials for projects elsewhere in the city.
Today, only 16 of the original gigantic columns remain standing. Yet, these ruins still inspire awe. They remind us of the grandeur of ancient Greece.
The temple’s design saw several changes. Initially, local limestone and the Doric style were planned. Later, the more expensive Pentelic marble and Corinthian style were chosen. This marked the first use of the Corinthian order on a major temple exterior.
The temple project saw contributions from several architects. Antistates, Callaeschrus, Antimachides, and Phormos all played a role. Political upheaval and the death of key figures caused long delays.
Despite its ruinous state, the Temple of Olympian Zeus remains a significant historical site. It is now part of a unified archaeological zone in Athens. This allows visitors to explore the city’s rich past more easily. The site is located about 500 meters southeast of the Acropolis. It is about 700 meters south of Syntagma Square.
In 2007, a group of Greek pagans even held a ceremony here. They honored Zeus on the temple grounds. It was organized by Ellinais. Ellinais is an organization that won a court battle for the recognition of Ancient Greek religious practices.
Walking through this historical precinct, you are walking through time. You are connecting with the ambitions and artistry of civilizations long past. Take a moment. Imagine the colossal statue of Zeus. Envision the 104 towering columns. Feel the weight of history beneath your feet. This is Zeus’s throne. It is a testament to human endeavor and the enduring power of myth.