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Temple of Zeus Panhellenis, Panhellenic, and the temple of Kronos and Rhea were added few years later. Hadrian’s Arch was built in order to signify the entrance to the sanctuary. Valerian Wall, which took its name by the Roman Emperor Valerian, enclosed all the edifices, in 260 A.D.
A simple mention of the temple’s dimensions can give us a clear idea of its titanic nature. The dimensions were: 110.35 x 43.68 meters. The Corinthian order columns were 17.25 meters high and had a diameter of 1.7 meter. The long sides of the temple had two rows of 20 columns each. The short side had a triple row of 8 columns. 104 columns at the total! In its cella were gigantic gold and ivory statues of Zeus and of Hadrian. In this way Hadrian was given equal status to Zeus!
Today, only 15 columns are still standing. There is another column which lies across the site. Some might argue that this is the proper penalty for Hadrian’s vanity. Some might only believe that nothing can fight back time’s passage. We must however take under serious consideration Vitruvius’ words that this temple materializes magnificence and majesty: "This work is not only universally esteemed but is accounted one of the rarest specimens of magnificence".
Although nowadays remain only relics of the old glory, we can still be shattered by temple’s titanic proportions. A simple walk from Syntagma Square towards Plaka can give us then similar feelings to the feelings we could have walking around the Great Pyramid of Cheops!
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