Date on Master's Thesis/Doctoral Dissertation
5-2004
Document Type
Master's Thesis
Degree Name
M.A.
Department
Fine Arts
Committee Chair
Gigante, Linda Maria
Author's Keywords
Communication and the arts; Social sciences; Greece
Subject
Temple of Zeus (Olympia, Greece); Sculpture, Greek--Greece; Olympia (Greece : Ancient sanctuary)
Abstract
Built during the Early Classical period, the Temple of Zeus at Olympia and its sculptural program presented many new ideas in Greek society. I will argue that the Temple, in particular its metopes depicting the twelve Labors of Herakles, exemplified the humanization of the Greek hero and illustrated the increasingly personal nature of Greek religion following the Persian War. I will first discuss the history of Olympia and the Altis, especially in relation to the celebration of the Olympic Games. I will then describe the Temple of Zeus and its sculptural program. The sculptures, in particular the metopes, will be considered in the larger context of the important developments in Greek religion following the victories over the Persians. I will argue that the metopes should be considered as one of the first architectural forms which connect man and gods in a personal, human way.
Recommended Citation
Ott, Amanda Beth Crecelius 1980-, "A human narrative in the metopes from the temple of Zeus at Olympia." (2004). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. Paper 1085.
https://doi.org/10.18297/etd/1085
