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The Temple of Hera, dating to circa 600 BC, is one of the
oldest temples in Greece. The walls' lower halves were of fossiliferous
limestone, the upper halves of brick and mud. The original Doric columns,
six on the ends and sixteen on both sides, were made of wood. They
were replaced with limestone over time. As late as 160 AD, a wooden
column still stood in the temple. This slow replacement of columns
left each column unique from the others in style, though all shared
the Doric order. The prodomos at the eastern end had two columns at
its front, as did the opisthodomos at the west end, which was separated
from the rest of the temple by a wall. Two rows of columns divided
the cella into three parts. Between the columns were niches used to
hold statues, including the famous Hermes of Praxiteles.
At the western end of the cella was an enthroned statue of Hera with
her husband Zeus standing at her side in warrior attire. Of the statues,
only Hera's head survives (Hera).
The Altar of Hera is to the east of the temple and today is
the starting point of the flame for the modern Olympic games.
It is thought that the Temple of Hera was once also a Temple to Zeus. The
temple was solely dedicated to Hera after the impressive Temple of Zeus was built in the
Altis.
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North-East Corner
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East Front
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From the West End of the Cella
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Altar and the Temple East Front
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Column on the South Flank
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Columns on the East Front
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