Sanctuary developed over many centuries
Olympia: Sanctuary of Zeus
Olympia was much more than a stadium. It was a sanctuary of Zeus containing temples, administrative buildings, training facilities, treasuries, monuments and…
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Olympia
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Active c. 460–430 BC
Pheidias and the Art of the Acropolis
Pheidias was one of the most celebrated sculptors of the fifth century BC. Ancient sources associate him with the artistic direction of…
Read story →Traditional first recorded Games: 776 BC
The First Ancient Olympic Games
Greek tradition dated the first recorded Olympic Games to 776 BC. Held at Olympia every four years, the festival combined sacrifice, procession,…
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The Workshop of Pheidias at Olympia
Just west of the Temple of Zeus at Olympia stands the building where Pheidias made the gold-and-ivory Zeus. Excavators found his tools,…
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