What is Temple of Zeus at Olympia?
[[File:Olympie Temple Zeus.JPG|thumb|300px|Temple of Zeus in ruins]] The '''Temple of Zeus''' is a [[Doric]] temple in the [[sanctuary]] at [[Olympia, Greece]]. Olympia was the site of the ancient [[Olympic Games]]. The temple is a [[Ruins|ruin]]. It was [[dedicate]]d to [[Zeus]], the principal god of the [[Ancient Greeks]]. This temple was the most important and most impressive structure at Olympia. The temple was built between 470 BC and 456 BC. Local [[limestone]] was the chief material used. The roof tiles, the [[gargoyle]]s, and the [[sculpture]]s were made of [[marble]]. The temple measured 64.12 [[meter]]s by 27.66 meters. It was 20.25 meters high. The temple had six [[column]]s at the ends and thirteen columns along both sides. The height of each column was 10.45 meters. A ramp at the eastern end led to the ''prodomos''. The table holding the Olympic wreaths stood to the right. The crowning of the victors took place on the last day at this spot. The sculptures of the east [[pediment]] depicted the story of [[Pelops]] and Hippodameia. This story is about the first [[chariot]] races. The sculptures of the west pediment depicted the story of the [[Centaur]]s and the Lapiths. This story is about the contest between barbarity and civilization. There were six [[metope]]s over the front [[porch]] and six over the back porch. They depicted the [[Labors of Heracles]]. The temple once contained [[Phidias]]' ''[[Statue of Zeus at Olympia|Statue of Zeus]]'', one of the [[Wonders of the World|seven wonders of the ancient world]]. The fate of the statue is unknown. It may have been taken to [[Constantinople]] where it was probably destroyed in the fire of 475 AD. Or, it may have been destroyed in the fire at Olympia in 426 AD. Phidias' workshop was discovered at Olympia in 1954. Statue bases cover the area around the temple. These bases held statues of gods, heroes, and Olympic victors. They were dedicated by individuals and cities. The sacred [[olive]] from which the Olympic wreaths were cut stood on the west