The Architectural Sculptures

Elaborate sculptures of Parian marble decorated the pediments and the metopes of the temple.

The West Pediment

The sculptures of the west pediment portrayed a Centauromachy, the mythical fight between the Lapiths and Centaurs at the wedding of Perithoos and Deidameia. Apollo is depicted restoring order in the chaotic fight between men and beasts.

The Head of Apollo from the West Pediment

A Centaur from the West Pediment

The East Pediment

The sculptural composition in the east pediment is less active, but not less powerful than the composition in the west pediment. The sculptures depict the moment before the beginning of the chariot race between Oinomaos and Pelops. Zeus stands in the center ready to deliver justice. The prominence of the east pedimental sculptures was enhanced by their placement over the only entrance into the temple. Furthermore, the athletes would see the pedimental sculptures from the stadium and be reminded of their oath to Zeus not to cheat in the Games.

A Groom from the East Pediment

A Chariot Group from the East Pediment

The Metopes

The twelve metopes on the east and west ends of the temple depicted the twelve labors of the Greek hero Herakles, who, like his great-grandfather Pelops, was also credited with founding the games.

The Twelve Metopes of the Temple of Zeus: The Labors of Herakles

Herakles from the "Apples" Metope

The Cult Statue

The great cult statue of Zeus Olympios housed inside the temple was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The Athenian sculptor Pheidias was commissioned to build the statue out of ivory and gold. The statue, which does not survive, was a larger-than-life Zeus seated on his throne, holding a winged Nike (Victory) in his right hand and a sceptre crowned with an eagle in his left hand.

An artist's conception of the Statue of Zeus at Olympia