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Olympia

The sanctuary where the games began in 776 BCE.

Ολυμπία
Ολυμπία · Annatsach · CC BY-SA 4.0
His Cretan cult sites included a sanctua…His Cretan cult sites included a sanctuary at Palaikastro, where the Hymn to Zeus Diktaios was discovered, and a cave on Mount Ida, where he was worsh
Notable people with the name include: Ol…Notable people with the name include: Olympia Mancini, Countess of Soissons (1638–1708), second-eldest of the five celebrated Mancini sisters and moth
In this article
  1. 1Overview
  2. 2Sanctuary and Cult of Zeus
  3. 3Ancient Olympic Games
  4. 4Control by Pisa and Elis
  5. 5Temple of Hera
  6. 6Statue of Zeus
  7. 7Archaeological Museum of Olympia
  8. 8Olympia, Washington
  9. 9Arts and Entertainment
  10. 10Olympia the Musician
  11. 11Olympia (2018 Documentary Film)
  12. 12Notable People Named Olympia
  13. 13Places and Venues Named Olympia
  14. 14Key dates
  15. 15Frequently asked questions
  16. 16Knowledge graph

Overview

Olympia is a place in Greece where the Ancient Olympic Games were held, and directly or indirectly the namesake of most of the below 1Olympia — wiki · Wikipedia ↗. The site was a major Panhellenic religious sanctuary of ancient Greece, where the ancient Olympic Games were held every four years throughout classical antiquity, from the 8th century BC to the 4th century AD 2Olympia — greece · Reference ↗.

The ancient Olympic Games were a series of athletic competitions among representatives of city-states and one of the Panhellenic Games of ancient Greece 3Olympia — games · Reference ↗. They were held at the Panhellenic religious sanctuary of Olympia, in honor of Zeus, and the Greeks gave them a mythological origin 3. The games were held every four years, or Olympiad, which became a unit of time in historical chronologies 3. The games conducted in his name drew visitors from all over the Greek world as one of a group of such "Panhellenic" centres, which helped to build the identity of the ancient Greeks as a nation 2.

The sanctuary of Olympia and the Olympic games, which were re-established in 776 BC, were initially controlled by the city of Pisa, but Elis contested this 4Olympia — elis · Reference ↗. They gained control of the sanctuary and games around 576 BC and destroyed Pisa in 572 BC 4. The polis included the sanctuary at Olympia where the Olympic games were organised by Elis over 1000 years, which was the main claim to fame of the city 4.

His preeminent sanctuary was Olympia, where the high point of the religious festival which included the ancient Olympic Games was a giant sacrifice of cattle to Zeus 5Olympia — zeus · Reference ↗. His Cretan cult sites included a sanctuary at Palaikastro, where the Hymn to Zeus Diktaios was discovered, and a cave on Mount Ida, where he was worshipped for over 1000 years 5.

The Statue of Zeus at Olympia was a giant seated figure, about 12.4 m (41 ft) tall, made by the Greek sculptor Phidias around 435 BC at the sanctuary of Olympia, Greece, and erected in the Temple of Zeus there 6Olympia — olympia · Reference ↗. The statue of Zeus was commissioned by the Eleans, custodians of the Olympic Games, in the latter half of the fifth century BC for their newly constructed Temple of Zeus 6.

The Temple of Hera, or Heraion, is an ancient Archaic Greek temple at Olympia, Greece, that was dedicated to Hera, queen of the Greek gods 7Olympia — olympia · Reference ↗. The Heraion at Olympia, located in the north of the sacred precinct, the Altis, is one of the earliest Doric temples in Greece, and the oldest peripteral temple at that site, having a single row of columns on all sides 7.

The Archaeological Museum of Olympia (Greek: Αρχαιολογικό Μουσείο Ολυμπίας) is one of the principal museums of Greece, located in Olympia 8Olympia — olympia · Reference ↗. The museum houses discoveries from the surrounding area, including the site of the Ancient Olympic Games 8. Wilhelm Dorpfeld and Friedrich Adler, the architects, oversaw construction of a neo-classical building which was erected on the hill of Drouva near the road from Olympia to the sanctuary 8.

The name also belongs to other places and persons. The history of Olympia, Washington includes long-term habitation by Native Americans, charting by a famous English explorer, settlement of the town in the mid-19th century, and the designation of the city as the state capital of Washington 9Olympia — olympia · Reference ↗. The site of Olympia was home to Lushootseed-speaking peoples for thousands of years 9. The first known European to reside at the future site of Olympia was Thomas K Otchin, an English Hudson Bay Company employee 9. Notable people with the name include Olympia Mancini, Countess of Soissons (1638–1708), second-eldest of the five celebrated Mancini sisters and mother of Austrian general Prince Eugene of Savoy, and Princess Maria-Olympia of Greece and Denmark (born 1996), oldest child and only daughter of Pavlos, Crown Prince of Greece, and his wife, Marie-Chantal, Crown Princess of Greece 10Olympia — name · Reference ↗. In March 2013, Olympia released her self-titled, self-released debut extended play 11Olympia — musician · Reference ↗.

The sacred precinct at the site was named the Altis and was primarily dedicated to Zeus, although other gods were worshipped there 2. The cult of Zeus stretched across the Greek world 5. The Heraion is the oldest temple at Olympia and one of the most venerable in all of Greece 7.

The name Olympia also attaches to a wide range of places, works and institutions. In the United Kingdom these include Kensington (Olympia) station in London, the Liverpool Olympia theatre and the Olympia London exhibition centre; in the United States, the former Detroit Olympia stadium of the NHL's Detroit Red Wings and the Olympia Apartments in Washington, D.C. 12Olympia — sec5 · Wikipedia ↗. In the arts it belongs to a song by Sergio Mendes, to Édouard Manet's 1863 oil on canvas painting, to a 1948 oil on canvas painting by René Magritte, to a fictional city in Marvel Comics and to a mechanical doll 13Olympia — sec1 · Wikipedia ↗. It is also the title of a 2018 American documentary film directed by Harry Mavromichalis, about the career of Academy Award-winning actress Olympia Dukakis 14Olympia — film · Reference ↗.

The musician performing as Olympia is Olivia Jayne Bartley, born in 1982 in Wollongong, an Australian art-pop singer-songwriter-guitarist 11. Her self-titled, self-released debut extended play included her debut single "Atlantis" 11.

The history of Olympia, Washington also encompasses the controversial siting of a state college in the 1960s and the ongoing development of arts and culture from a variety of influences 9. The city is situated at the extreme southern tip of Puget Sound on Budd Inlet 9.

1. Sanctuary and Cult of Zeus

The sacred precinct, named the Altis, was primarily dedicated to Zeus, although other gods were worshipped there 2. The religious practice in honour of Zeus, known as his cult, stretched across the Greek world 5. At Nemea, another athletic festival, the Nemean Games, was held in his honour 5.

Zeus is the sky and thunder god in ancient Greek religion, who rules as king of the gods on Mount Olympus 6. It was originally a joint temple of Hera and Zeus, chief of the gods, until a separate temple was built for him 7. That temple of Hera is the oldest temple at Olympia and one of the most venerable in all of Greece 7.

Ancient history records that Pisa and Elis, other villages in the region, contended with Olympia for management of the precinct, and that Olympia won, implying that the village was not identical to the precinct 2. They gained control of the sanctuary and games around 576 BC and destroyed Pisa in 572 BC 4. The Eleans banned the Spartans from participating in the Olympic Games of 420 BC and defeated them in battle when they tried to participate anyway 4. Their last recorded celebration was in AD 393, under the emperor Theodosius I, but archaeological evidence indicates that some games were still held after this date 3.

The Statue of Zeus at Olympia was a giant seated figure, about 12.4 m (41 ft) tall, made by the Greek sculptor Phidias around 435 BC at the sanctuary of Olympia, Greece, and erected in the Temple of Zeus there 6. Zeus sat on a painted cedarwood throne ornamented with ebony, ivory, gold, and precious stones 6. The statue was commissioned by the Eleans, custodians of the Olympic Games, in the latter half of the fifth century BC for their newly constructed Temple of Zeus 6.

His preeminent sanctuary was Olympia, where the high point of the religious festival which included the ancient Olympic Games was a giant sacrifice of cattle to Zeus 5. The games were held at the Panhellenic religious sanctuary of Olympia, in honor of Zeus, and the Greeks gave them a mythological origin 3. The site was a major Panhellenic religious sanctuary of ancient Greece, where the ancient Olympic Games were held every four years throughout classical antiquity, from the 8th century BC to the 4th century AD 2. The sanctuary of Olympia and the Olympic games, which were re-established in 776 BC, were initially controlled by the city of Pisa, but Elis contested this 4. The polis included the sanctuary at Olympia where the Olympic games were organised by Elis over 1000 years, which was the main claim to fame of the city 4.

His Cretan cult sites included a sanctuary at Palaikastro, where the Hymn to Zeus Diktaios was discovered, and a cave on Mount Ida, where he was worshipped for over 1000 years 5.

2. Ancient Olympic Games

The ancient Olympic Games, or the ancient Olympics, were a series of athletic competitions among representatives of city-states and one of the Panhellenic Games of ancient Greece 3. They were held at the Panhellenic religious sanctuary of Olympia, in honor of Zeus, and the Greeks gave them a mythological origin 3. The games were held every four years, or Olympiad, which became a unit of time in historical chronologies 3. The games conducted in his name drew visitors from all over the Greek world as one of a group of such Panhellenic centres, which helped to build the identity of the ancient Greeks as a nation 2. Their last recorded celebration was in AD 393, under the emperor Theodosius I, but archaeological evidence indicates that some games were still held after this date 3.

The sanctuary and the games were re-established in 776 BC and were initially controlled by the city of Pisa, a claim Elis contested 4. Ancient history records that Pisa and Elis, other villages in the region, contended with Olympia for management of the precinct, and that Olympia won, implying that the village was not identical to the precinct 2. Elis gained control of the sanctuary and games around 576 BC and destroyed Pisa in 572 BC 4.

The polis included the sanctuary at Olympia where the Olympic games were organised by Elis over 1000 years, which was the main claim to fame of the city 4. The Eleans banned the Spartans from participating in the Olympic Games of 420 BC and defeated them in battle when they tried to participate anyway 4. The statue of Zeus was commissioned by the Eleans, custodians of the Olympic Games, in the latter half of the fifth century BC for their newly constructed Temple of Zeus 6.

The site was a major Panhellenic religious sanctuary of ancient Greece, where the ancient Olympic Games were held every four years throughout classical antiquity, from the 8th century BC to the 4th century AD 2. His preeminent sanctuary was Olympia, where the high point of the religious festival which included the ancient Olympic Games was a giant sacrifice of cattle to Zeus 5. At Nemea, another athletic festival, the Nemean Games, was held in his honour 5.

The Temple of Hera, or Heraion, is an ancient Archaic Greek temple at Olympia, Greece, that was dedicated to Hera, queen of the Greek gods 7. The museum houses discoveries from the surrounding area, including the site of the Ancient Olympic Games 8.

3. Control by Pisa and Elis

The sanctuary of Olympia and the Olympic games, which were re-established in 776 BC, were initially controlled by the city of Pisa, but Elis contested this 4. The polis included the sanctuary at Olympia where the Olympic games were organised by Elis over 1000 years, which was the main claim to fame of the city 4.

Ancient history records that Pisa and Elis, other villages in the region, contended with Olympia for management of the precinct, and that Olympia won, implying that the village was not identical to the precinct 2.

Elis did not merely dispute Pisan authority; it displaced it. The Eleans gained control of the sanctuary and the games around 576 BC and destroyed Pisa in 572 BC 4.

The sanctuary stood within the territory of the polis of Elis, and it was Elis that organised the Olympic games there over 1000 years — the achievement on which the city's reputation chiefly rested 4.

4. Temple of Hera

The Temple of Hera, or Heraion, is an ancient Archaic Greek temple at Olympia, Greece, that was dedicated to Hera, queen of the Greek gods 7. The Heraion at Olympia, located in the north of the sacred precinct, the Altis, is one of the earliest Doric temples in Greece, and the oldest peripteral temple at that site, having a single row of columns on all sides 7. It was originally a joint temple of Hera and Zeus, chief of the gods, until a separate temple was built for him 7.

It is the oldest temple at Olympia and one of the most venerable in all of Greece 7.

The sanctuary's most celebrated image of Zeus was a giant seated figure made by the sculptor Phidias around 435 BC, standing about 12.4 m (41 ft) tall and erected in the Temple of Zeus at Olympia 6. The commission came from the Eleans, custodians of the Olympic Games, who ordered the work in the latter half of the fifth century BC for their newly constructed Temple of Zeus 6.

Among the principal holdings of the Archaeological Museum of Olympia are Hermes and the Infant Dionysus, attributed to Praxiteles, together with objects from the Temple of Zeus, the Nike of Paionios, and an oenochoe that belonged to Phidias 8.

5. Statue of Zeus

Zeus is the sky and thunder god in ancient Greek religion, who rules as king of the gods on Mount Olympus 6. The Statue of Zeus at Olympia was a giant seated figure, about 12.4 m (41 ft) tall, made by the Greek sculptor Phidias around 435 BC at the sanctuary of Olympia, Greece, and erected in the Temple of Zeus there 6. The statue of Zeus was commissioned by the Eleans, custodians of the Olympic Games, in the latter half of the fifth century BC for their newly constructed Temple of Zeus 6.

Zeus sat on a painted cedarwood throne ornamented with ebony, ivory, gold, and precious stones 6. The religious practice in honour of Zeus, known as his "cult", stretched across the Greek world 5. His preeminent sanctuary was Olympia, where the high point of the religious festival which included the ancient Olympic Games was a giant sacrifice of cattle to Zeus 5. The sacred precinct, named the Altis, was primarily dedicated to Zeus, although other gods were worshipped there 2.

His Cretan cult sites included a sanctuary at Palaikastro, where the Hymn to Zeus Diktaios was discovered, and a cave on Mount Ida, where he was worshipped for over 1000 years 5. It was originally a joint temple of Hera and Zeus, chief of the gods, until a separate temple was built for him 7. The principal pieces in the museum are Hermes and the Infant Dionysus (attributed to Praxiteles), some objects from the Temple of Zeus, the Nike of Paionios, as well as an oenochoe that belonged to Phidias 8.

6. Archaeological Museum of Olympia

The Archaeological Museum of Olympia is one of the principal museums of Greece, located in Olympia 8. The museum houses discoveries from the surrounding area, including the site of the Ancient Olympic Games 8. The principal pieces in the museum are Hermes and the Infant Dionysus (attributed to Praxiteles), some objects from the Temple of Zeus, the Nike of Paionios, as well as an oenochoe that belonged to Phidias 8. Wilhelm Dorpfeld and Friedrich Adler, the architects, oversaw construction of a neo-classical building which was erected on the hill of Drouva near the road from Olympia to the sanctuary 8.

The sanctuary that the museum's collections document was the Panhellenic religious site where the ancient Olympic Games were held in honour of Zeus, and the Greeks attributed to those contests a mythological origin 3. The games themselves were athletic competitions among representatives of city-states and one of the Panhellenic Games of ancient Greece 15Olympia — games · Reference ↗. They were re-established in 776 BC and were initially controlled by the city of Pisa, a claim Elis contested 4. Elis organised the games at Olympia over more than 1000 years, the main claim to fame of that city 4. Zeus's preeminent sanctuary was Olympia, where the high point of the religious festival including the games was a giant sacrifice of cattle to Zeus 5.

Among the monuments of the site, the Temple of Hera, or Heraion, was an ancient Archaic Greek temple dedicated to Hera, queen of the Greek gods 7. It is the oldest temple at Olympia and one of the most venerable in all of Greece 7. The Statue of Zeus at Olympia was a giant seated figure about 12.4 m (41 ft) tall, made by the Greek sculptor Phidias around 435 BC at the sanctuary and erected in the Temple of Zeus there 6.

7. Olympia, Washington

The history of Olympia, Washington includes long-term habitation by Native Americans, charting by a famous English explorer, settlement of the town in the 1840s, the controversial siting of a state college in the 1960s and the ongoing development of arts and culture from a variety of influences 9. Olympia is situated at the extreme southern tip of Puget Sound on Budd Inlet 9. The first known European to reside at the future site of Olympia was Thomas K Otchin, an English Hudson Bay Company employee who took up a claim in 1841 but abandoned it by 1842 9.

The name Olympia belongs first to a place in Greece where the Ancient Olympic Games were held, and from that site most other uses of the name derive, directly or indirectly 1. The games themselves were a series of athletic competitions among representatives of city-states and one of the Panhellenic Games of ancient Greece 3. They took place at the Panhellenic religious sanctuary of Olympia in honor of Zeus, and the Greeks attributed to them a mythological origin 3. The sanctuary and the games, re-established in 776 BC, were at first controlled by the city of Pisa, a claim Elis contested 4. Elis would organise the games at Olympia for over 1000 years, and this role became the city's principal claim to fame 4. Olympia was also the preeminent sanctuary of Zeus, where the high point of the religious festival that included the games was a giant sacrifice of cattle to the god 5.

Among the monuments of the sanctuary, the Temple of Hera, or Heraion, was dedicated to the queen of the Greek gods; it is the oldest temple at Olympia and one of the most venerable in all of Greece 7. The Statue of Zeus at Olympia was a giant seated figure about 12.4 m (41 ft) tall, made by the Greek sculptor Phidias around 435 BC at the sanctuary and erected in the Temple of Zeus there 6. The Archaeological Museum of Olympia is one of the principal museums of Greece and is located at the site 8.

The name has carried into the arts and into public life. Olympia Mancini, Countess of Soissons (1638–1708), was the second-eldest of the five celebrated Mancini sisters and mother of the Austrian general Prince Eugene of Savoy 10. Princess Maria-Olympia of Greece and Denmark (born 1996) is the oldest child and only daughter of Pavlos, Crown Prince of Greece, and Marie-Chantal, Crown Princess of Greece 10. In painting the name titles an 1863 oil on canvas by Édouard Manet and a 1948 oil on canvas by René Magritte; it also designates a fictional city in Marvel Comics and a mechanical doll 13. Sergio Mendes recorded a song called "Olympia" 13. Olivia Jayne Bartley (born 1982 in Wollongong), who performs as Olympia, is an Australian art-pop singer-songwriter-guitarist 11; in March 2013 she released her self-titled, self-released debut extended play, which included her debut single "Atlantis" 11. Olympia is also a 2018 American documentary film directed by Harry Mavromichalis about the career of Academy Award-winning actress Olympia Dukakis 14, shown at many film festivals including Doc NYC on November 11, 2018 14.

Buildings and institutions bearing the name include Kensington (Olympia) station and Olympia London, an exhibition centre, both in London, and the Liverpool Olympia, a theatre in Liverpool 12. In the United States there were the Detroit Olympia, former stadium of the NHL's Detroit Red Wings, and the Olympia Apartments in Washington, D.C. 12. Atlanta's Olympia Building is the location of an iconic Coca-Cola sign, and the Olympia Theatre in New York was a theatre complex since demolished 12.

8. Arts and Entertainment

The name Olympia attaches to a range of works across painting, comics, music and mechanical toys. Olympia (Manet) is an 1863 oil on canvas painting by Édouard Manet 1. Olympia is a 1948 oil on canvas painting by René Magritte 1. Olympia (comics) is a fictional city in Marvel Comics 1. Olympia is a mechanical doll in E. 1. "Olympia" is a song by Sergio Mendes 1.

The name also belongs to a 2018 American documentary film directed by Harry Mavromichalis, which follows the career of the Academy Award-winning actress Olympia Dukakis 14. As a performing name it is carried by Olivia Jayne Bartley, born in 1982 in Wollongong, an Australian art-pop singer-songwriter-guitarist who performs as Olympia 11. Among notable people bearing the name are Olympia Mancini, Countess of Soissons (1638–1708), second-eldest of the five celebrated Mancini sisters and mother of the Austrian general Prince Eugene of Savoy, and Princess Maria-Olympia of Greece and Denmark (born 1996), the oldest child and only daughter of Pavlos, Crown Prince of Greece, and his wife, Marie-Chantal, Crown Princess of Greece 10.

9. Olympia the Musician

Olivia Jayne Bartley (born 1982, Wollongong), who also performs as Olympia, is an Australian art-pop singer-songwriter-guitarist 11. In March 2013, Olympia released her self-titled, self-released debut extended play, which included her debut single "Atlantis" 11. In March 2016, Olympia announced the release of her debut studio album Self Talk in April, alongside the single "Smoke Signals" 11.

The name Olympia carries a long history of notable bearers, among them Olympia Mancini, Countess of Soissons (1638–1708), the second-eldest of the five celebrated Mancini sisters and mother of the Austrian general Prince Eugene of Savoy 10. Princess Maria-Olympia of Greece and Denmark (born 1996) is the oldest child and only daughter of Pavlos, Crown Prince of Greece, and his wife Marie-Chantal, Crown Princess of Greece 10. Olympia Ann "Olan" Sylvers (born 1951) is a member of the Sylvers family 10.

In the arts, Olympia (Manet) is an 1863 oil on canvas painting by Édouard Manet, while Olympia is a 1948 oil on canvas painting by René Magritte 1. Olympia (comics) is a fictional city in Marvel Comics, and Olympia is also a mechanical doll 1. A song titled "Olympia" is attributed to Sergio Mendes 1.

The name also attaches to a range of buildings and stations: Kensington (Olympia) station in London, Liverpool Olympia theatre in Liverpool, and Olympia London exhibition centre in London 12. In the United States there is the Detroit Olympia, former stadium of the NHL's Detroit Red Wings, and the Olympia Apartments in Washington, D.C. 12. The Olympia Building in Atlanta is the location of an iconic Coca-Cola sign, and the Olympia Theatre in New York was a now-demolished theatre complex 12.

Olympia is also the subject of a 2018 American documentary film directed by Harry Mavromichalis, about the career of Academy Award-winning actress Olympia Dukakis 14. The film was shown at many film festivals, including Doc NYC on November 11, 2018 14.

10. Olympia (2018 Documentary Film)

Olympia is a 2018 American documentary film directed by Harry Mavromichalis, about the career of Academy Award-winning actress Olympia Dukakis 14. Olympia was shown at many film festivals including Doc NYC on November 11 2018 14.

Frank Scheck of The Hollywood Reporter calls it "a compelling profile of a woman who's defiantly marched to the beat of her own drum." 14. Michael Ordoña of Los Angeles Times said Olympia "is much more about the personal than the professional, crafting an interior portrait of a woman at home in her own skin..." 14.

11. Notable People Named Olympia

The name Olympia is borne by figures whose prominence derives from very different spheres, and the entries gathered here reflect that range rather than a single lineage or tradition 10.

NameDatesNotes
Olympia Mancini, Countess of Soissons1638–1708Second-eldest of the five celebrated Mancini sisters and mother of Austrian general Prince Eugene of Savoy 10
Princess Maria-Olympia of Greece and Denmarkborn 1996Oldest child and only daughter of Pavlos, Crown Prince of Greece, and his wife, Marie-Chantal, Crown Princess of Greece 10
Olympia Ann "Olan" Sylversborn 1951Member of the family 10
Notable people named Olympia

Olympia Mancini, Countess of Soissons (1638–1708), was the second-eldest of the five celebrated Mancini sisters and the mother of the Austrian general Prince Eugene of Savoy 10. Princess Maria-Olympia of Greece and Denmark (born 1996) is the oldest child and only daughter of Pavlos, Crown Prince of Greece, and his wife, Marie-Chantal, Crown Princess of Greece 10.

Olivia Jayne Bartley (born 1982, Wollongong), who also performs as Olympia, is an Australian art-pop singer-songwriter-guitarist 11. In March 2013, Olympia released her self-titled, self-released debut extended play, which included her debut single "Atlantis" 11.

Olympia is a 2018 American documentary film directed by Harry Mavromichalis, about the career of Academy Award-winning actress Olympia Dukakis 14. It was shown at many film festivals including Doc NYC on November 11, 2018 14.

12. Places and Venues Named Olympia

NameLocationType
Kensington (Olympia) stationLondon, UKStation 12
Liverpool OlympiaLiverpool, UKTheatre 12
Olympia LondonLondon, UKExhibition centre 12
Detroit OlympiaDetroit, USFormer stadium of the NHL's Detroit Red Wings 12
Olympia Apartments (Washington, D.C.)Washington, D.C., USApartment building 12
Olympia BuildingAtlanta, USLocation of an iconic Coca-Cola sign 12
Olympia Theatre (New York)New York City, USNow-demolished theatre complex 12
Places and venues named Olympia

The name Olympia attaches to a wide range of places and structures. In the United Kingdom it designates Kensington (Olympia) station in London, the Liverpool Olympia theatre, and Olympia London, an exhibition centre in the capital; in the United States it belongs to the Detroit Olympia, the former stadium of the NHL's Detroit Red Wings, and to Olympia Apartments in Washington, D.C.12

In Greece the name is bound to the sanctuary where the ancient Olympic Games were held, and it is directly or indirectly the namesake of most of the other uses of the word.1 The polis of Elis included that sanctuary, and Elis organised the games there over more than a thousand years, the city's principal claim to fame.4 The games themselves were a series of athletic competitions among representatives of city-states and one of the Panhellenic Games of ancient Greece.3 They were held at the Panhellenic religious sanctuary of Olympia in honour of Zeus, and the Greeks gave them a mythological origin.15 The sanctuary and the games, which were re-established in 776 BC, were initially controlled by the city of Pisa, a claim Elis contested.4

Within the sanctuary the sacred precinct, named the Altis, was primarily dedicated to Zeus, although other gods were worshipped there.2 Zeus's preeminent sanctuary was Olympia, where the high point of the religious festival that included the games was a giant sacrifice of cattle to Zeus.5 The Temple of Hera, or Heraion, is an ancient Archaic Greek temple at Olympia dedicated to Hera, queen of the Greek gods; it is the oldest temple at Olympia and one of the most venerable in all of Greece.7 The Statue of Zeus at Olympia was a giant seated figure about 12.4 m (41 ft) tall, made by the Greek sculptor Phidias around 435 BC at the sanctuary of Olympia, Greece, and erected in the Temple of Zeus there.6 The Archaeological Museum of Olympia is one of the principal museums of Greece and is located in Olympia.8

The name also marks a city in the United States. Olympia, Washington, is situated at the extreme southern tip of Puget Sound on Budd Inlet.9 Its history includes long-term habitation by Native Americans, charting by a famous English explorer, settlement of the town in the 1840s, the controversial siting of a state college in the 1960s and the ongoing development of arts and culture from a variety of influences.9 The first known European to reside at the future site of the town was Thomas K Otchin, an English Hudson Bay Company employee.9

Among fictional and artistic settings, Olympia is a fictional city in Marvel Comics, and the name also belongs to a mechanical doll in E.13

13. Key dates

  • 1000
    The polis included the sanctuary at Olympia where the Olympic games were organ…
    The polis included the sanctuary at Olympia where the Olympic games were organised by Elis over 1000 years, which was the main claim to fame of the city.
  • 1638
    Notable people with the name include: Olympia Mancini, Countess of Soissons (1…
    Notable people with the name include: Olympia Mancini, Countess of Soissons (1638–1708), second-eldest of the five celebrated Mancini sisters and mother of Austrian general Prince Eugene of Savoy Princess Maria-Olympia of Greece and Denmark (born 1996), Oldest child and only daug
  • 1841
    == Settlement (pre-1850) == The first known European to reside at the future s…
    == Settlement (pre-1850) == The first known European to reside at the future site of Olympia was Thomas K Otchin, an English Hudson Bay Company employee who took up a claim in 1841 but abandoned it by 1842.
  • 1863
    "Olympia" (song) , by Sergio Mendes Other arts and entertainment Olympia (Mane…
    "Olympia" (song) , by Sergio Mendes Other arts and entertainment Olympia (Manet) , an 1863 oil on canvas painting by Édouard Manet Olympia , a 1948 oil on canvas painting by René Magritte Olympia (comics) , a fictional city in Marvel Comics Olympia, a mechanical doll in E.
  • 1951
    Senator from Maine Olympia Ann "Olan" Sylvers (born 1951), member of the famil…
    Senator from Maine Olympia Ann "Olan" Sylvers (born 1951), member of the family...
  • 1982
    Olivia Jayne Bartley (born 1982, Wollongong), who also performs as Olympia, is…
    Olivia Jayne Bartley (born 1982, Wollongong), who also performs as Olympia, is an Australian art-pop singer-songwriter-guitarist.
  • 2013
    == Career == === 2013–2017: Career beginnings and Self Talk === In March 2013…
    == Career == === 2013–2017: Career beginnings and Self Talk === In March 2013, Olympia released her self-titled, self-released debut extended play, which included her debut single "Atlantis".
  • 2015
    In February 2015, Olympia released "Honey", the lead single from her forthcomi…
    In February 2015, Olympia released "Honey", the lead single from her forthcoming debut studio album.

14. Frequently asked questions

What was the first athletic festival held in Zeus's honour beyond Olympia?

At Nemea the Nemean Games were held in his honour 5.

How was the figure of Zeus seated inside his temple at Olympia?

Zeus sat on a painted cedarwood throne ornamented with ebony, ivory, gold, and precious stones 6.

What did the sculptor of the Zeus statue leave behind at Olympia?

An oenochoe that belonged to Phidias is among the principal pieces in the Archaeological Museum of Olympia 8.

Which single did the musician Olympia release before announcing her debut album?

In February 2015 Olympia released "Honey", the lead single from her forthcoming debut studio album 11.

Where was the Olympia documentary screened in November 2018?

Olympia was shown at many film festivals including Doc NYC on November 11 2018 14.

What does the Corinthian tradition say about the founding of Corinth, and what offering was made at Olympia in connection with it?

According to Corinthian myth as reported by Pausanias, the city was founded by Corinthos, a descendant of the god Zeus 16Olympia — corinth · Reference ↗. Pausanias (2.5.1) says that it was put there by Asopus, repaying Sisyphus for information about the abduction of Aegina by Zeus 16.

References (16)

16 sources · Web 16

  1. 1Olympia — wiki — Wikipedia Web↩View source
  2. 2Olympia — greece — Reference Web↩View source
  3. 3Olympia — games — Reference Web↩View source
  4. 4Olympia — elis — Reference Web↩View source
  5. 5Olympia — zeus — Reference Web↩View source
  6. 6Olympia — olympia — Reference Web↩View source
  7. 7Olympia — olympia — Reference Web↩View source
  8. 8Olympia — olympia — Reference Web↩View source
  9. 9Olympia — olympia — Reference Web↩View source
  10. 10Olympia — name — Reference Web↩View source
  11. 11Olympia — musician — Reference Web↩View source
  12. 12Olympia — sec5 — Wikipedia Web↩View source
  13. 13Olympia — sec1 — Wikipedia Web↩View source
  14. 14Olympia — film — Reference Web↩View source
  15. 15Olympia — games — Reference Web↩View source
  16. 16Olympia — corinth — Reference Web↩View source