|
The columns that still stand at
Nemea belong to the Temple of Zeus that was
constructed about 330 B.C. over the remains of the
Early
Temple. This temple
stands at the end of the development of the
Classical Doric temple, and foreshadows Hellenistic
architectural forms. Hence the exterior columns are
extraordinarily thin in proportion to their
height.
Restored Ground Plan of the Temple of Zeus at
Nemea, from B.H. Hill, The Temple of Zeus at
Nemea (Princeton 1966)
pl.XXIII
The plan displays an exterior
colonnade with a canonical 6 columns on the short
ends, but only 12 (rather than the Classical 13) on
the long ends. The eastern facade was equipped with
an approach ramp which is characteristic of the
period. The rear porch (opisthodomos) typical of
the Doric Temple is absent, and the interior had a
Corinthian colonnade on three sides of the cella.
Above was an Ionic colonnade so that all three
architectural orders were present in the
building.
Drawing of Corinthian Capital and Column from
interior of the Temple of Zeus, from B.H. Hill,
The Temple of Zeus at Nemea (Princeton 1966)
pl.XXIII
At the back end of the cella,
behind the Corinthian colonnade, a sunken crypt was
approached by stone stairs. This was probably the
site of a local oracle.
Cella of the Temple of Zeus from the East and
above.
The carving -- both of the
Corinthian capitals and especially of the Pentelic
marble sima -- finds parallels with the Temple of
Athena Alea at Tegea which has led scholars to
suggest an influence from that temple, built under
the supervision of Skopas of Paros, and the Temple
of Zeus at Nemea.
Drawing of Sima from B.H. Hill, The Temple
of Zeus at Nemea (Princeton 1966) Plate
XVII.
|