Nymphaeum (Olympia)
Water distribution structure in Olympia, West Greece Region, Greece / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Nymphaeum (Olympia) (Latin, Ancient Greek: νυμφαῖον), etymologically "home of the nymphs," or water goddesses, at ancient Olympia was the official name of a water-distribution structure constructed in the mid-2nd century at that site to provide water to the masses who attended the Olympic Games in July and August. Nymphaeum was the general name throughout the Mediterranean for an ornate structure that terminated an aqueduct bringing water from distant elevated terrain, say a stream or copious springs.[1][note 1] This one had substructures, statues, and ornately patterned stonework; its main purpose, however, was functional. It received water from the aqueduct into a cistern and released it by stages into a system of open and closed channels leading around the site. The end partaker of the water carried a secular patera, or small drinking bowl, around with him, dipping into an open trough for the water, as is suggested by the fact that at least some of the statues carried such paterae in one hand (though they may also have been performing libations). Troughs went everywhere through the site to accommodate the crowds.
νυμφαῖον | |
Alternative name | Early archaeological name of exedra, "spring house" |
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Coordinates | 37°38′20″N 21°37′50″E |
Altitude | 50 m (164 ft) |
Site notes | |
Archaeologists | German Archaeological Institute at Athens |
Condition | Foundations, partial columns, some restored columns. |
Ownership | Ministry of Culture and Sports (Greece) |
Public access | Yes, with purchase of ticket to the site |
The Nymphaeum is a late feature at the site. Prior to then the more permanent population of athletes, trainers, and administrators relied on wells or short conduits to the Kladeos River, while the spectators suffered greatly, with only the water they could carry in. In mid-century Herodes Atticus, a wealthy savant, engineer, and friend, teacher, and confidant of emperors, was invited to attend the games with his wife Regilla, who was made an honorary priestess of Demeter to get around the exclusion of women. After experiencing the water deficit first hand, he promised to construct at his expense ample water facilities. By the next Olympiad, a first-rate water distribution system, which came to be known as the Nymphaeum of Herodes Atticus, had been constructed. It served as a copious water supply for new baths and the swimming pool of the new grand hotel. More importantly, long troughs brought drinking water along the sides of every playing field for the use of anyone there.
The construction involved more than just the fountain: an aqueduct was an essential part of it. The engineering team had to locate a good source of fresh water and build an aqueduct from it, tunneling through the hill. As it turned out, the source was very likely part of the municipal water supply of ancient Greek Pisa. From the fountain, the water had to be distributed to the whole site. The engineers provided open troughs in publicly accessible places. Hidden pipes went through the walls for transport in places not accessed by the public.