Temple of Zeus in Olympia and its methods

We will go on a real trip and see amazing things. We learn something new, we will make discoveries. Ahead of us waiting for adventure and miracles created by the hands of man. Looking at some, it's hard to imagine what is possible at all. For example, the temple of Zeus in Olympia. This amazing structure keeps in itself not only the architectural, but also the cultural heritage of ancient Greece. Here myths come to life, and their heroes appear before the guests of the temple. But the most interesting is that the ancient stones keep the memory and those legends that are not known to everyone.

Miracles of the past and present

In every religion and faith there are magic numbers to which various properties are attributed. They can include three, six, nine, thirteen and seven. It was the latter that was chosen to determine the best structures of antiquity. Probably, there is no person who does not hear about the seven wonders of the world. This is an incredible architectural structure of the past, stunning imagination with its grandeur and pomposity. In the list were the gardens of the Semiramis, the temple of Artemis, the mausoleum and even the lighthouse.

Why seven, not ten, for example? This list was compiled thousands of years ago, when people worshiped the gods. One of them was Apollo, it belonged to him number seven. It spoke of the perfection that the god of light seemed to people. He was also called Feobos, which means "radiant, shining".

Time passed, progress allowed people to create all new unusual structures. Today such man-made miracles can be found in many countries. Perhaps, even now, somewhere erect a new structure that will amaze the imagination of people.

The gods of antiquity

It's hard to say what allowed one people to become more prosperous, educated and cultured. Perhaps their faith gave them strength, moved to the heights of perfection.

In ancient Greece, there were several gods that people worshiped in their attempts to achieve their goals. Almost any natural phenomenon was attributed to their influence. God of the north wind Boreas, lord of sunlight Apollo, Lord of the sea depths Poseidon. These were dozens of fictional creatures of male and female.

People believed that life depends on their moods on earth. They tried to propitiate the gods, so as not to incur their wrath. Creation of places of worship, where thousands of faithful flocked. In time, entire sanctuaries were erected, for example, the temple of Zeus in Athens.

Majestic structure

In the years 471-456 BC. E. Was built by an unusual in its architecture and grandeur of the building. This is the temple of Zeus in Olympia, designed by Libon, the architect of ancient Greece. Thousands of pilgrims flocked here to kneel before God and pray for the forgiveness of sins.

Today it would be difficult enough to appreciate the greatness of this structure. But fortunately in our days many fragments have been preserved. Scientists, historians and archaeologists, having studied the writings of the ancient Greek Pausanias, were able to recreate the species that once had a temple of Zeus of the Olympian.

Fronts

If we could look at the structure in those distant times, when it shone with its greatness, it would be impossible to look away. What do its pediments stand for? This is the completion of the facade of the building, which is limited by roof vaults and cornice, forming a triangular shape.

From the west, the temple of Zeus in Greece was decorated with pictures of the battle between the centaurs and the Lapiths. According to the myth, the inhabitants of Thessaly invited their neighbors to a wedding feast. But the drunken centaur decided to steal the bride, then brought upon his tribe anger. Struggle ensued, during which the victory was won by the Lapiths. This fragment was chosen not by chance. For the ancient Greeks, he was the personification of the victory of civilization over illiteracy and savagery.

The eastern part is decorated in a slightly different style. Here is depicted the myth of Poles and the death of his hand to King Enomaya. Figures look more static and are located far from each other. Historians tend to believe that these two parts were performed by different masters.

METHODS

Very often the upper part of the buildings was decorated with a series of stone slabs and triglyphs. The first were often covered with relief images. Such plates are called metopes. Today, some can be seen in the museum of Greece, but most of them are kept in the Louvre.

All the methods of the temple of Zeus in Olympia are united by one plot - twelve feats of Hercules. This character was not chosen by chance. For the ancient Greeks, his exploits meant the victory of an intelligent man over the incomprehensible and inexplicable forces of evil. The images were arranged in such a way that the pilgrims would begin the survey from the first and finish the last one. All these extraordinary architectural delights were just a preparation for seeing the main attraction.

If you look at the temple of Zeus in Olympia (photos or drawings), you can see that its methods are somewhat stretched vertically. Most likely, it was the architect's idea. He wanted to give the building maximum greatness, some aspiration upwards.

Wonder of the World

Despite all the splendor of the structure, it was not appreciated as worthily as the statue that was located inside it. The Temple of Zeus in Athens was not honored to become a miracle of the world. Although he became the abode of such.

In the center of the building on a huge throne sat Zeus. It was a statue about 15 meters in size. Just imagine the height of the house with four floors.

Zeus looked amazing: huge, shining, with fiery eyes. All this the architect managed to achieve with the help of light, which was refracted in the right places and illuminated the face of the statue. The whole body of the god was made of gold, and the throne of cedar and ebony. The head of the god almost touched the ceiling of the building.

To look at him came from all over the world. Simple people and great rulers. This spectacle did not leave anyone indifferent. And it was a wonderful demonstration of scientific achievements, the development of the ancient Greeks.

Many pilgrims fell backward at the sight of the statue. Some could not stand up for a long time, afraid to look into the eyes of the terrible Zeus.

A Difficult History

The author of this grandiose structure was Phidias, a sculptor from Athens. In order not to be mistaken with the dimensions, a huge building was created. In terms of the parameters is the same as the temple of Zeus in Olympia. The author worked with his brother and student.

Later, the statue was subjected to several restorations. What she did not survive: earthquakes, lightning. More than once they stole gold trim.

The Roman emperor was determined to transport Zeus along with other sights that showed his conquests. But as the legends say, when the workers came to the temple, the statue began to laugh loudly. Terribly frightened, they fled. Naturally, after this no one dared to make another attempt.

When the Christian faith was popularized, and it reached a certain height, pagan temples began to close. From some records of those times it is known that the statue was transported to Constantinople. And there it was destroyed by fire, because the whole frame was made of wood.

Other temples

Not only the temple of Zeus the Olympian was a jewel of those places. In the gardens of the city the sanctuary of Hera Hippodamia is located. There was an altar of Zeus made from the ashes of sacrificial animals.

Surrounded by a grove of the venue for the Olympic Games: stages, a racetrack, gymnasiums and a theater. These buildings were located in a semicircle. They were decorated with statues of gods and heroes of that time. Immediately after them was erected another semicircle. These were places for spectators. Here they feasted and bargained. During the Games Olympia turned into a huge market. Thousands of people came to one place - it was an excellent business.

Archaeological finds

For many years, little was known about this wonderful city. All that opened the eyes of people - a few columns and walls. Passing by, it was possible to see except that the animals that walked through the ruins of a once great place. Excavations were conducted only in the XIX century. For French archaeologists, the temple of Zeus in Olympia opened several of its methods and grounds.

Later, the Greek authorities decided to take the excavations seriously. German archeologists went to search for adventures and new discoveries. An agreement was signed: everything that they found was legally owned by Greece. It was possible to divulge a little. Therefore, few people then saw the live temple of Olympus Zeus - photos and drawings of him only.

Archaeologists have made a lot of efforts to finally study the terrain in detail, draw up a map of it. Previously unknown temples, constructions for the Olympic Games were opened. They found unique works of art and precious inscriptions.

The pediments of the temple of Zeus, the statue of the Victory, "Hermes with the Child of Dionysus", the works of Praxitel are all incredible sculptural creations.

Such discoveries not only allowed us to study the development of architecture and creativity. Many records found during excavations shed light on political relations in ancient Greece.

It is better to see once

No matter how much we describe the greatness and unsurpassed architecture of that time, imagine that it really is impossible. No pictures or photos can replace the feeling when you see everything in reality.

To plunge into this atmosphere, to feel the age-old "breath" of the walls, go to Athens. The Temple of Olympian Zeus is represented by fifteen columns and a foundation. In the archaeological park you can also see Roman baths, basilicas of the 5th century.

It would seem that the stones can be interesting. Show a little imagination. Imagine what events they experienced, what kind of people they saw. Touch the ancient world. They say that the stones store all the information received for a long time of existence. Perhaps you will discover their secrets and miracles.