Statue of Zeus at Olympia
Humanities subjects contribute significantly to society’s peace, harmony, union and balance among people; thus, they are of importance in the current world. History as a humanity help learners understand the concept of human culture; therefore, they can appreciate their culture and that of others, this results in harmony among different cultures. The learners are also able to explore their identities, beliefs and values’ resulting in the urge of exploring other communities too; thus, peace is achieved. Understanding and empathizing with individuals who are different and those who are similar to a person enhance union among them.
Knowledge sharing, provision of documents, research and lessons learnt through humanities shows the relation between culture and art. Inspiration case of innovation in pre and post-conflict studies help learners get knowledge of their religion, enhancing their sense of belonging. Art and culture strengthen the inclusive and peaceful developments in the less privileged communities, hence increasing their standard of living. The study of humanities also acts as an inspiration to peacebuilders, organizations and donors; therefore, they can handle natural disasters, community conflicts and hostile environment; thus, their survival is enhanced.
Creative and critical thinking is also developed helping learners in data and situation analyses; thus, empathy and thoughtfulness are encouraged. A balance in the society is achieved through the study of units like sustainability, global citizenship and democracy, strengthening a sense of care to others and themselves. Humanities which include history, religious education, and geography and not limited to developing qualities and attitudes of democratic citizenship are an essential part of the education system.
This paper will discuss the Statue of Zeus as a piece of art and its contribution to the peace, union and balance among the Ancient Greece society. According to Pausanias, a Greek traveller and geographer Zeus was a god that sat on a throne and was made of gold and ivory. The god right-hand carries a victory which is made of gold and ivory while on the left hand is a sceptre ornamented with a variety of metals. On the sceptre is an eagle sitting, he has a garland on her head and a ribbon around her. The sandals and the robe are made of gold, the gown is embroiled with animal figures and lily flowers and upon it are wrought images and pictures painted.
The art usually represents the society that creates it, and this is also present in ancient Greek. Through sculpture, statues, i.e.i.e. Zeus and pottery, they were able to incorporate and appreciate their culture. The main aim of their art was to honour their gods who created resembling humans. Art was available in various part of this community, and it became a source of joy and pride to the people. They held religious festivals and ceremonies around their gods which promoted peace and unity among them.
Zeus was believed to be the father and king of the other gods, and he was responsible for ruling the weather as well as justice, law and order. He was believed to be the most strong and powerful god. The leaders associated with Zeus example, mortal leaders were said to possess an entrepreneurial spirit were energetic and dynamic leaders. They are believed to make decisions very fast, and all lines of communication come from and go to them. These beliefs help the ancient Greek community to appreciate their culture; hence harmony is achieved among them.
The location of the statue of Zeus in the western part of Greece at Peloponnese made it easy for people to access it; this enhanced harmony as people from different part of Ancient Greece came to see it. The increased visits by the people resulted in the plan of Pan-Hellenic Olympic Games, which were held every four years. The Olympic Games acted as a symbol of shared Greek beliefs and culture. The statue became a sacred site that attracted sports fans, pilgrims and travellers across the Mediterranean. The temple built to house the statue added prestige to Olympia city, and this acted as an additional advantage for tourists’ attraction. As people visited this site, they mingled and interacted despite being from a different location; this enhanced peace and harmony as they appreciated each other’s originality.
Religious beliefs were strengthened when the temple was built to host the statue; this resulted in the appreciation of beliefs of the people in Ancient Greece. Though the god’s statue was of more importance to the society than the temple, it acted as a link between the divine and humanity. The god was honoured with sacrifices and offerings where the doors of the temple would be opened to address rituals and prayers to it. The belief that their god inhibited the statue inspired the Greece dwellers thus balance among them was enhanced as they went to worship their god.
Appreciation of other people’s culture is identifiable where people across the globe would come to see the Statue of Zeus. The tourists would pay of the site visit, and this improved the communities’ standard of living resulting from balancing among the people. Individuals brought money, weapons, helmets and shields as offering to the god. Olympia became a museum of Greek culture and art, and other cities started to build treasuries to raise their cities’ prestige; hence balance among the cities was also improved.
Enhancing creativity and critical thinking which are essential parts of learning history was present in ancient Greece; this resulted in harmony as individuals appreciated each others’ thoughts and beliefs. The different theories of the relocation of the giant Zeus indicate how society recognized the differences in their beliefs. Historians believed Zeus and the temple she stood in were destroyed during a tsunami or an earthquake in the 6th century. According to Suetonius, a Roman writer, the destruction of the statue was abandoned after it roared with laughter, making the workers collapse. Another theory developed by historians Kedron and Zonaras states that the figure was destroyed by fire. Appreciation of all these theories shows how the Statue of Zeus enhanced the unity of people in Ancient Greece.
The unity of Ancient people as a result of the Statue of Zeus is seen when they agreed to honour her by adding an athletic competition to their festive. The addition of the athletic competition to their calendar indicates the connection Olympia people had with Zeus. The athletic competition occurred every four years and brought together participants from various part of Greece. The construction of the sacred altar where they believed he hurled a thunderbolt shows how united they were because of their god. Olympia city grew both in terms of prosperity and wealth, and their devotion to Zeus increased, and they built her a large altar, here their unity is well demonstrated.
The creation of a clam Zeus with controlled force by Phidias represents an era of civilization to the Ancient Greece communities. The symbols that represented a calm god were a crown of olive oil and victory on the right hand that indicated power. Phidias was passing a message that their god watches over the city in a kind and caring way contrary to the previous centuries where they believed she was furious. The civilization period portrays a community that no longer lived in fear during their progression; this is an indication of harmony and civilized community.
The Statue of Zeus has been used to retain the Ancient Greece culture during its excavations. Phidius workshop and a cup he once used revealed the base Zeus’s temple. Zeus was regularly oiled to avoid damage from the harsh temperatures of Olympia, which helped it to last for at least eight hundred years. The statue made Olympia remain a focal point of Greek tourist attraction. Also, some rare coins of Olympia have the image of Zeus example the Silver staters Olympian coinage, which help preserve culture. The excellent maintenance of this statue indicates a society that appreciates its culture; hence love, and unity is achieved.
The different titles given to Zeus indicated the diversity in knowledge among the ancient Greece dwellers. Zeus Olympios emphasized the role he had over the other gods hence was deemed powerful. Philoxenon, Hospitals or Zeus Xenois was the leader of hospitality and avenged the ones who mistreated strangers. Zeus Georgos in Athens he was believed to be the god of harvest and crops. The various names given to Zeus shows he embodied the religious beliefs of the Greek inhabitants.
In conclusion, the Statue of Zeus in Olympia was art that promoted unity, peace and balance among the communities of Ancient Greece. The statue gave the society a sense of belonging; hence unity among themselves was strengthened. Culture preservation through the excavation of the original sculpture and the coins reminded Greece dwellers the importance of their culture. Acceptance of change of Zerus god to a new one; symbolized civilization and harmony among the communities in Greece. The art played a significant role in cultural appreciation and acceptance and made them proud of their beliefs and fears. Peace, harmony, love, respect and equality among these dwellers was strengthened by the existence of Statue of Zerus, which was art at the time.
Works cited
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