L.Barlow Classical Civilisations
Temple of Zeus - General Information
Metopes on the Temple of Zeus
- General:
• Each metope is 5ft2, so figs are under lifesize
• Earlier in date than pediments
• 6 each high up on front and rear exterior walls of Cella
• Eastern = oldest
• 1-6 on West and 7-12 on East
- Choice of Subject:
• 12 labours of Heracles
• Coherent story of all 12 metopes
• Each one = self contained
• 6 took place near Olympia (1,2,7,5,3,12)
• 4 (fits in with Olympia being pan-Hellenic) Heracles at four points of compass
(4,8,6,9)
• 2 Heracles in Underworld and beyond Mortality (11,10)
• Choice of Heracles also apt for the area
• Greatest of all Greek heroes so known to all
• Patron of athletes and established first Olympic games
• Spent much of his life in area and performed 1/2 labours there
• Son of Zeus in temple of Zeus
• Typified life of man on earth who battles against seemingly impossible odds,
endures terrible calamities and yet, by sheer determination and hard work wins
through in the end
1
Temple of Zeus - General Information
Metopes on the Temple of Zeus
- General:
• Each metope is 5ft2, so figs are under lifesize
• Earlier in date than pediments
• 6 each high up on front and rear exterior walls of Cella
• Eastern = oldest
• 1-6 on West and 7-12 on East
- Choice of Subject:
• 12 labours of Heracles
• Coherent story of all 12 metopes
• Each one = self contained
• 6 took place near Olympia (1,2,7,5,3,12)
• 4 (fits in with Olympia being pan-Hellenic) Heracles at four points of compass
(4,8,6,9)
• 2 Heracles in Underworld and beyond Mortality (11,10)
• Choice of Heracles also apt for the area
• Greatest of all Greek heroes so known to all
• Patron of athletes and established first Olympic games
• Spent much of his life in area and performed 1/2 labours there
• Son of Zeus in temple of Zeus
• Typified life of man on earth who battles against seemingly impossible odds,
endures terrible calamities and yet, by sheer determination and hard work wins
through in the end
1
