Opa Olympia!

Hello everyone! Yesterday, we visited the ancient grounds at Olympia, the pinnacle of our Olympic Odyssey adventure! All the information that Professor Ryan and Professor Burton offered throughout the semester truly came to life right before our eyes. Entering the site sent chills down my spine, as I imagined what past Olympians must have felt as they prepared for competition. According to a Visit Greece pamphlet that we got, "The sanctuary at Olympia flourished from the 10th c. BC to AD 426, the year in which the emperor Theodosius II closed all the ancient sanctuaries." Viewing buildings and relics, previously only seen in textbooks, was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Additionally, our group benefited from the countless stories and facts provided by Professor Ares, a "retired" yet lively field anthropologist. Some monuments and areas that stood out included the Temple of Hera, the Stadium, the Treasuries, and the Temple of Zeus. The Temple of Hera was the earliest monumental temple in Greece. It was built for Hera, the wife of Zeus and the goddess of women and marriage. Originally it was built from wood, but as time progressed wood became stone. To provide a glimpse into history, some of the columns have been refurbished and re-erected.
Likewise, the ancient stadium was a holy place for the Greeks and dedicated to Zeus. It is connected to the sanctuary by an overhead gateway, much like modern arenas. Full capacity was approximately 45,000 people. The Treasuries, located at the bottom of Mt. Kronos, date back to the 6th and 5th c. BC. They were located on sacred ground, providing a safe place for people to store valuables. Thus, it was unlikely that anyone would try to steal your belongings. However, if someone stole valuables or cheated during the Olympics, they would have to pay for a statue of Zeus with the offender's name on the front, bringing immense shame onto that individual. It comes as no surprise that the Temple of Zeus is centrally situated in the sanctuary. Built between 470 and 456 BC, it remains one of the most famous monuments in the world. Below are some photos of the Temple of Zeus and Temple of Hera!

After touring most of the sanctuary, we walked over to the Olympia Archaeological Museum (trying to be the best student archaeologists we can be)! It was fascinating to examine artifacts from Early Archaic and Classical periods. Highlights included a small statue of Nike, a room devoted to Pheidias's workshop, and an awe-inspiring statue of Hermes. Later that night, our group went out to dinner at a Greek buffet restaurant. After eating my fair share of food (don't worry I did), my birthday celebration truly commenced as I was given both a second Bar Mitzvah and the opportunity to dance in front of all the restaurant attendees!! Thanks to everyone for making it such a special day! Looking forward to seeing more Olympic-related sites in Athens.

Opaaaa!
Dan