English: The Olympieion is a large temple dedicated to Zeus Olympios. It was built by Hadrian between 124 and 132 A.D.. According to tradition, the establishment of a sanctuary on this site goes back to the early historic times of Athens. In ca. 515 B.C., Peisistratos the Younger, began the construction of a monumental temple which was not finished because of the fall of his dynasty in Athens. Much later, in 174 B.C., Antiochos IV Epiphanes, the king of Syria, attempted to continue the erection of the temple, which was finally completed by Hadrian. Inside the temple stood a colossal chryselephantine (gold and ivory) statue of Zeus. It was surrounded by 84 Corinthian columns in total.