Archaeological Museum at Olympia

I was very excited to stop in my first achaeological museum in Greece. This is something I had always dreamed of eventually seeing and I couldn't believe I was finally here!  Our tour for the day included a stop at the museum and then on to the actual site of Olympia!  I was in awe when we got inside the museum and proceeded to run around trying to take pictures of everything! LOL.  Here are some of the highlights from the museum tour:

Hermes of Praxiteles

Dates back to 343 BC and made from Parian marble.  It is the only known work to survive of Praxiteles and found at Olympia, intact under the ground in 1877 AD.  The sculpture, "The Diamond of Olympia" represents Hermes, messenger of the Gods, holding Dionysus, who is reaching for something from his hand.

  The story behind this sculpture is said to be that the mother of Dionysus (Themele) died from terror when Zeus appeared in front of her with his thunderbolts.  She was pregnant at the time and Zeus took the infant to the nymphs in Crete, where Hermes was.  In order to keep him quiet when the baby started to cry, he showed him a shiny object. 

Nike of Paeonius

Paeonius (or Paionios) of Mende in Macedonia, was a Greek sculptor of the late 5th century BC.  This sculpture of Nike (circa 420 BC) was discovered at Olympia in 1875, and is known as "Winged Victory".  It has an inscription on the base that indicates it was dedicated to the people of Messenia and Naupactus after a victory in an unnamed conflict, possibly the battle against the Spartans.

  The Nike of Paeonius was featured as part of the design of the medals for the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens and remains on exhibit at the archaeological museum here. 

East Pediment at the Temple of Zeus

Construction began around 572 BC by the Elean Libo and completed about 450 BC. It depicted the chariot race between Pelops and Oenomaos, with Zeus standing between the two teams. This depicts the moment before the race when Oenamaos announces the rules and the two contestants swear an oath.  It was designed by Paeonios. The statues on the East Pediment are said to be: River God Alpheus, Charioteer, Chariot Boy or Observer, Chariot Team, Arkas or a Chariot Boy, Sterope or Hippodameia, Pelops, Zeus, Oenomaos, Hippodameia or Sterope, Old Man, Chariot Team, Seer, Crouching Girl, River God (Kladeos)

West Pediment at the Temple of Zeus

This depicted the fight between Centaurs, who were said to be guests at the wedding of Peirithoos and the Lapithae.

  After getting drunk (apparently they had a low tolerance for wine), the Centaurs tried to abduct the bride, Deiameia, as well as other Lapithae women.  The middle of the pediment depicts Apollo, with Peirithoos and Theseus on each side, fighting with the Centaurs.  There has been debate as to the central figure but most agree it was Apollo who is standing there pointing out Eurytion, the Centaur chief who was trying to rape the bride.  This pediment was designed by Alkamenes of Athens.  The statues on the West Pediment are said to be: Group of Lapiths, Deidameia & Centaur, Apollo, Theseus, Eurytion, Lapiths and Centaur, Females in each corner, and Old Woman

Metopes - Temple of Zeus

The metopes around the exterior of the temple of Zeus were left blank, but those within the two porticos of the temple were decorated with the Labors of Herakles.  It was felt he was a good subject for the temple decoration since he was the son of Zeus and great-grandson of Pelops, the founder of the Olympic Games. 

*UNDER CONSTRUCTION*