Dictionary of Greek and Roman geography . central place. On the metopes overthe doors at the eastern and western ends the laboursof Hercules were represented. In its interior con-struction the temple resembled the Parthenon. Thecella consisted of two chambers, of which the easterncontained the statue, and the western was called theOpisthodomus. The colossal statue of Zeus, themaster-work of Pheidias, was made of ivory andgold. It stood at the end of the front chamber ofthe cella, directly facing the entrance, so that it atonce showed itself in all its grandeur to a spec-tator entering the temp
Dictionary of Greek and Roman geography . central place. On the metopes overthe doors at the eastern and western ends the laboursof Hercules were represented. In its interior con-struction the temple resembled the Parthenon. Thecella consisted of two chambers, of which the easterncontained the statue, and the western was called theOpisthodomus. The colossal statue of Zeus, themaster-work of Pheidias, was made of ivory andgold. It stood at the end of the front chamber ofthe cella, directly facing the entrance, so that it atonce showed itself in all its grandeur to a spec-tator entering the temple. The approach to it wasbetween a double row of columns, supporting theroof. The god was seated on a magnificent throneadorned with sculptures, a full description of which,as well as of the statue, has been given in anotherplace. [Diet, of Biorjr. Vol. III. p. 252-1 Behindthe Opisthodomus of the temple was the Callistepha-mis or wild olive tree, which furnished the garlandsof the Olympic victors. (Paus. v. 15. § 3.) # # # ® ® # ®ft. GROUND PLA2J OF THE OLYMPIEIUM. 2. The Pehpium stood opposite the temple ofZeus, on the other side of the Pompic way. Its po-sition is defined by Pausanias, who says that itstood to the right of the entrance into the temple ofZeus and to the north of that building. It was anenclosure, containing trees and statues, having anopening to the west. (Paus. v. 13. § L) 3. The Heraeum was the most important templein the Altis after that of Zeus It was also a Doricperipteral building. Its dimensions are says (v. 16. § 1) that it was 63 feet inlength; but this is clearly a mistake, since no perip-teral building was so small; and the numerousstatues in the cella, described by Pausanias, clearlyshow that it must have been of considerable dimen-sions. The two most remarkable monuments in theHeraeum were the table, on which were placed thegarlands prepared for the victors in the Olympiccontests, and the celebrated chest of Cypselus,cover
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