Olympia: Ruins of Philippeion

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Philippeion
Located on the Sanctuary of Olympia, Philippeion was built by Philip II, the King of Macedonia and the father of Alexander the Great, to commemorate his victory over Thebans and Athenians in the Battle of Chaeronea in 335 BCE. Because King Philip II died two years after starting the construction of this monument, experts believe that Alexander the Great most likely completed it.

This majestic monument was circular-shaped with a diameter of 15.3 meters and had two concentric rings of columns. The outer ring had 18 Ionic style columns, and the inner ring had Corinthian style half-columns. The roof was made of marble with a bronze poppy head. Inside the monument, it housed the statues of Philip II and his family that included his wife, parents, and son Alexander the Great.