Olympia, the site of the ancient Olympic Games, is in the western part of the Peloponnese which, according to Greek mythology, is the island of "Pelops", the founder of the Olympic Games. Imposing temples, votive buildings, elaborate shrines and ancient sporting facilities were combined in a site of unique natural and mystical beauty.

Olympia functioned as a meeting place for worship and other religious and political practices as early as the 10th century B.C. The central part of Olympia was dominated by the majestic temple of Zeus, with the temple of Hera parallel to it.

The ancient stadium in Olympia could accommodate more than 40,000 spectators, while in the surrounding area there were auxiliary buildings which developed gradually up until the 4th century B.C. and were used as training sites for the athletes or to house the judges of the Games.

重点词汇

Olympia  n. 奥林匹亚，希腊半岛西部的平原，古代奥林匹克运动场
Peloponnese  n. 伯罗奔尼撒半岛（希腊南部）

site  n. 地址，场所，遗址

mythology  n. 神话

Pelops  n. （希腊神话）珀罗普斯

votive  a. 奉献的

elaborate  a. 精心制作的

shrine  n.  神殿, 神祠, 圣地

Zeus  n. （希腊神话）宙斯

Hera  n. （希腊神话）赫拉

auxiliary  a. 辅助的, 补助的

stadium  n. 露天大型运动场

worship  n. 崇拜, 礼拜，敬神

spectator  n. （比赛或表演的）观众