Diggers accidentally discovered a temple to Zeus at the foot of Mount Olympus in an indicating that ancient Greeks switched away from polytheism to the faith of a single God even before Christianity appeared in Greece, archaeologists said on Friday. The sanctuary was found during works to broaden the bed of the Vaphyras river running through the Dion temple complex at the foot of Mount Olympus, northern Greece - the seat of Greek mythology's twelve Gods. The findings include the sanctuary's foundations, 14 marble blocks with marble eagles engraved on them - Zeus's symbol - and a slightly smaller-than-life-size, headless marble statue of Zeus, said archaeologist Dimitris Pantermalis who supervises the Dion site. The sanctuary dates to the centuries preceding Christ's birth. Insignia found on it refer to Zeus as "the highest".

"It is a special version of Zeus as a single God residing in heaven... we know that 'Zeus the Highest' played an important role in the transition to monotheism," Pantermalis said. "The findings are dated before the birth of Christ, that's what's important," he added.

View: Full Article | Source: iol.co.za

Interesting, but i wish they had explained why it's indicating that ancient Greeks switched away from polytheism. All they mention is that there is an inscription saying Zeus the Highest but he was the head of the greek pantheon and therefore the highest anyway.

he has a point.

yup

I'm in agreeance with PurpleStuart. Also, was it not common to build a temple for only one person in one spot and for another in a different spot. Who's to say that they won't find a temple dedicated to Hera nearby? Just a thought... Either way it is a great find! I've always held a soft spot for Greek Mythology.

I'm with everyone else here, Zeus was the head god anyway, so how can they tell the ancient greeks were moving towards monotheism? The Greeks built several temples in honor of one god or another.

Wasn't this where the Statue of Zeus, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, was?
1) Statue of Zeus at Olympus
2) Hanging Gardens of Babylon
3) The Mausoleum
4) The Temple of Artemis (sp)
5) The Alexandrian Lighthouse
6) The Pyramids at Giza
7) The Colossus of Rhodes

After Sukato's post I had to stop and think. The Statue of Zeus on Mt. Olympus was part of a temple bearing his name. The statue was added because the temple was thought "too plain". The statue was then moved to Constantinople and eventually ruined by a fire. So, is the temple they are talking about in this article a new/different one, or possibly parts of the one that is partially still standing? Does anyone know the answer to this?

Here is a link in regards to the statue: CLICK HERE

That was my question... I wasn't sure.