The east pediment of the temple of Zeus depicts the myth of the chariot race of Pelops, held at Olympia. In this myth, Oinomaos, ruler of Pisa, had two children by his wife Sterope, Leukippos and Hippodameia. Leukippos was killed by nymphs for beholding them while bathing. Oinomaos, with no heir, was presented with a gloomy oracle, fortelling that the husband of Hippodameia would kill him. Thus, Oinomaos established a trial for all suitors of Hippodameia in which they must race him by chariot. If the suitor lost, he would be put to death. If he won, he would receive Hippodameia as his bride. Oinomaos felt confident in this challenge since his chariot was pulled by winged horses. Oinomaos proceeded to win thirteen such races. However, Pelops, heir of Tantalus and son of Poseidon, eventually defeated him. Some versions say that Pelops was given four winged hourses of his own by Poseidon. Another version tells that Hippodameia, in love with Pelops, conspired with their father's charioteer, Myrtilos, to sabotage the chariot by replacing one of its wheel pins with wax. When the wax melted during the race, the chariot lost its wheel and Oinomaos was hurled to his death. Pelops married Hippodameia and held Olympic games to honor Zeus. Hippodameia, in turn, established the Heraia in honor to Hera. East Pediment Figure East Pediment Central Group The Seer The east pediment shows the preparations for the race. Zeus stands in the center. To his left stands Pelops with a spear, looking unsure, then Hippodameia, her handmaiden, Pelops' chariot, a soothsayer, a boy, and then the personification of the river Kladeos. To the right of Zeus is Oinomaos, looking confident and proud, then his wife Sterope, then a groom of the horses, then the chariot and horses of Oinomaos, then another figure, possibly Myrtilos, then another soothsayer, and finally, the personification of the river Alpheios. The excitement and tragedy of the race are mirrored in the varying tense and concerned faces of the figures, most notably the soothsayer on Pelops' side, who seems to recognize the tragedy which is about to occur to the house of Oinomaos.