Temple of Zeus at Olympia

Design + materials used

Decorations

Myths associated + why

Symbol of power

Built on a plinth

Have to look up at it, creates awe

Cult statue

Chryselephantine (gold and ivory)

Built after the Persian war

Holds a smaller statue of Nike, symbolises victory over the Persians

Made of local limestone

Cheaper

Metopes

12 tasks of Heracles

Eastern Pediment

Western Pediment

Chariot race between Pelops and Oinomaos

Centauromachy

Centauromachy, Lapiths fighting centaurs after the centaurs were uncivilised at a wedding, symbolises victory over the Persians, temple was built after victory over the Persians, Greeks are the Lapiths (civilised), Persians are the centaurs (uncivilised, animalistic)

Chariot race between Pelops and Oinomaos, Oinomaos was told that if his daughter gets married he'll die, challenges suitors to a chariot race, if he wins he kills them, Pelops replaces Oinomaos' lynch pins with wax, gets thrown out and dies, Pelops marries his daughter and sets up funerary games, possible founding of the Olympic games which were held near the temple

12 tasks of Heracles, Heracles was Zeus' son, makes Zeus look good

Built East to West so the sun shines into it

13m tall, creates awe

One of the 7 wonders of the ancient world

Centauromachy, symbolises victory over the Persians, Greeks are the Lapiths (civilised), Persians are the centaurs (uncivilised, animalistic)

Altar outside made of ash and bits of sacrificed animals, ends up at least 7m tall