One of the Largest Sanctuaries of Ancient Greece in the Peloponnese Essay Example
One of the Largest Sanctuaries of Ancient Greece in the Peloponnese Essay Example

One of the Largest Sanctuaries of Ancient Greece in the Peloponnese Essay Example

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  • Pages: 3 (582 words)
  • Published: October 19, 2018
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Olympia is the location of the most sacred buildings, which are situated near the hill dedicated to the goddess. The Great Altar of Zeus is where offerings are made to the god by burning the parts that cannot be eaten and releasing their scent and incense, while leaving behind the ashes. The entire Olympian family is involved in this process, with different locations used for burning the ashes on Zeus' altar. The temples consist of colonnades with a porch located either in the front or back, and they can only be approached from the eastern side.

Phidias, the artist, sculpted Zeus using ivory sheets; the deity's attire was crafted from gold. Beneath Zeus, figurines representing lions and other female symbols are positioned to depict women as submissive. Additionally, he holds his beloved daughter Athena in one hand, bestowing her upon victorious contestants in c

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ontests. Only the winners of these contests are granted entry into the temple. Furthermore, it was Herakles who planted the inaugural olive tree in Olympia and established the city.

After appropriating the prime land for Zeus, instead of receiving recognition, Apollo was given a place on the building next to Hippodameias marriage inscription. Another Hippodameia, daughter of the former king of Olympia, named Oynomaos (meaning crazy), had a cruel custom. Every suitor who sought Hippodameia's hand had to race against Oynomaos. If the suitor lost, he would be executed by hanging. Eventually, the twelfth suitor named Philips emerges victorious with the help of Merciless, who supports Pilaps and replaces Oynomaos' wheel with wax.

Oinomaos dies and Pilaps saves Hippodameia and marries her. It is possible that Olympia was also founded by Pelops.

Pilaps and his shoulder

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made of ivory.

Tantalos, who is Pelops' father, had a meal with the gods and one day offered his son as food to them. The gods rejected eating him and restored Pilaps to his original form. Demeter had taken a bite of Pilaps' shoulder, which was then replaced with a piece of ivory. From then on, everyone descended from Pilaps also had an ivory shoulder. Tantalos is condemned to the underworld and suffers from eternal hunger.

Hercules saved another Hippodameia, a horsewoman. The Temple of Hera, an ancient temple, represents the goddess's supremacy. The wooden columns were replaced with a specific stone due to rotting. At the top of the roof, there is still a remaining disc. The wall surrounding Olympia distinguishes sacred ground from the ordinary.

The structure between the temples of Hera and Zeus was round, resembling both a tholos and a beehive. It was gifted to Zeus by Herodotus Attikus, who also gave Athens the theatre. The fountain, named after his wife Queeny, was located near the Kronian hill. The contests held in this place do not have bleachers.


Sports At Olympia

The objective is to conquer both female competitors and nature itself.

While participating in music-enhanced contests, athletes are required to be naked, except for women who are not allowed. Yet, there was a woman who successfully disguised herself as a man to observe her family members compete. Although her true identity was eventually revealed, she was allowed to remain because her family members triumphed. These competitions highly value both elegance and power.

Initially, only wealthy individuals were able to participate in the competitions, implying that the winning family could claim aristocracy bestowed upon them by

the gods, while the losers were not respected. Subsequently, the city started supporting athletes in their training for these contests.

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