A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology

Smith, William

A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology. William Smith, LLD, ed. 1890

(Λίβων), an Eleian, was the architect of the great temple of Zeus in the Altis at Olympia, which was built by the Eleians out of the spoils of Pisa and other neighbouring cities, which had revolted from them, and had been again subdued. (Paus. 5.10.2 or 3.) This event is believed to have occurred about Ol. 50, B. C. 580 (Ib. 6.22.2 or 4); but there is no reason to suppose that the temple was commenced immediately, or even soon, after this date. It seems more probable that the temple had not been very long completed when Phidias began to make in it his gold and ivory statue of Zeus (Ol. 85. 4, B. C. 437). Allowing for the time which so magnificent a work as this temple would occupy, we may safely place the architect's date somewhat before the middle of the fifth century B. C. The temple itself is described by Pausanias (5.10). A few ruins of it remain. (Stanhope, Olympia, p. 9; Cockerell, Bibl. Ital. 1831, No. 191, p. 205; Blonet, Expédition Scient. de la Morée, livr. 11, pl. 62, foll.)

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