Images

The starting line of the stadium in Olympia (4th century BCE). Athletes had to place their toes in the front grooves on the block.

The stadium of Olympia (present form: 5th century BCE) with the starting line. The capacity at its maximum was 45,000.

The Acropolis of Athens. Dominating the acropolis is the Parthenon, built between 447 and 432 BCE in the Age of Pericles, and dedicated to the city’s patron deity Athena.

An inscribed bronze discus from Olympia dedicated by Publius Asklepiades (After 241 CE). Olympia Archaeological Museum.

A jumping weight carried by athletes in each hand in the long jump event to gain distance (date unknown). Olympia Archaeological Museum.

Bronze armour and boar tusk helmet (15th century BCE) from a mycenaean cemetery in Dendra. Nafplio Archaeological Museum.

A marble statue of emperor Hadrian (117-138 CE), Olympia Archaeological Museum. The corselet depicts Athena standing on the wolf of Rome between two figures of Nike.

A marble statue of emperor titus (79-81 CE), Olympia Archaeological Museum. The corselet depicts two Nereids riding on sea monsters.

Built in 490 BCE following the Athenian victory over Persia at Marathon the treasury takes the form of a Doric temple.

A bronze sheet griffin, perhaps once covering a wooden metope (630-620 BCE), Olympia, Olympia Archaeological Museum.