The Temple of Zeus was a major temple complex in Cyrene, dedicated to Zeus, the Greek god of sky, thunder, order, and justice.
Description[]
The temple faced east towards the rising sun. It was seventy meters long with forty-six Doric-style columns, and was the largest Greek temple made in Africa, being only slightly larger than the Parthenon and the Temple of Zeus in Olympia.[1] Each column's dimension differed slightly, which gave the visitors an impression of uniqueness when viewing each façade.[2] The rebuilt statue of Zeus installed by Roman Emperor Hadrian stood 12 meters high and was made of chiseled marble, in attempt to rival the Olympian Statue of Zeus.[3]
History[]
In 47 BCE, the Medjay Bayek of Siwa visited the temple during his hunt for Flavius Metellus. By performing a Leap of Faith from the top of the temple, he caught the attention of a young boy, Esiocles, who offered to show Bayek around the city, which the Medjay accepted.[4] Bayek later returned to the temple and solved a Papyrus Puzzle he had found.[5]
Some time later, Bayek instructed Sminthos to stay hidden and wait for him at the temple gardens while he solved murders Sminthos was accused of. He returned and told Sminthos the true story about how the daughter of the prostitute was behind the murders before Sminthos decided to leave for Apollonia.[6]
After the temple was destroyed during the Jewish rebellion in 115 CE, Hadrian had it reconstructed, but chose not to rebuild the outer portico and instead had the columns restored in Corinthian marble. This reconstruction was then completed under Marcus Aurelius.[7]
Behind the scenes[]
The temple is depicted being on a high platform with many stairs unlike the real temple which has three stairs in a typical fashion to ancient Greek temple architecture. Though, concept art shows the temple with the correct platform.
Gallery[]
Appearances[]
References[]
- ↑ Discovery Tour: Ancient Egypt – "The Temple of Zeus in Cyrene" – The Temple of Zeus
- ↑ Discovery Tour: Ancient Egypt – "The Temple of Zeus in Cyrene" – Doric Architecture
- ↑ Discovery Tour: Ancient Egypt – "The Temple of Zeus in Cyrene" – Imitation of the Olympian Zeus
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Origins – The Flea of Cyrene
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Origins – Papyrus Puzzle: "Undue Haste"
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Origins – Cat and Mouse
- ↑ Discovery Tour: Ancient Egypt – "The Temple of Zeus in Cyrene" – Corinthian Columns