Temple of Olympian Zeus

The Temple of Olympian Zeus (Greek: Ναὸς τοῦ Ὀλυμπίου Διός, Naos tou Olympiou Dios), also known as the Olympieion or Columns of the Olympian Zeus, is a colossal ruined temple in the centre of the Greek capital Athens dedicated to Zeus, king of the Olympian gods. Its construction dates back to the 6th century BC during the rule of the Athenian tyrants, who envisaged building the greatest temple in the ancient world. However, it was not completed until the reign of the Roman Emperor Hadrian in the 2nd century AD some 638 years after the project had begun. During the Roman periods, the Temple of Olympian Zeus was renowned as the greatest temple in Greece and housed one of the largest cult statues in the ancient world.

The temple’s glory was short-lived, though, as it fell into dismay after being pillaged in a barbarian invasion in the 3rd century AD. It was probably never repaired and was reduced to ruins thereafter. In the centuries following the fall of the Roman Empire, the temple was extensively quarried for building materials to supply building projects elsewhere in the city. Despite this, substantial remains are visible today and the Temple of Olympian Zeus remains a major tourist attraction.