Note: Ancient religious center in NW Peloponnesus; was scene of the Olympian Games to honor Zeus, first held in 8th cen. BCE; date of these games, held every 4 years, marked units in Greek calendar (Olympiads); had many temples & works by Phidias & Praxiteles. here is evidence of settlement in the area of Olympia from the Early Bronze Age on, and although there is no archaeological proof for prehistoric cult activity at Olympia, tradition records that it was originally a place sacred to Ge, Cronus (the Mother of Gods), and Eileithyia as well as a cult center of the hero Pelops. At some time after the end of the Late Bronze Age the cult of Zeus was introduced and a walled sacred precinct was established.
icon to view the hierarchy.
