The construction of the Temple of Zeus began around 480 BC when the allied Greek colonies in Sicily defeated Carthage. The city of Agrigento deployed thousands of enslaved Carthaginian prisoners on massive public works projects, most notably the construction of the Temple of Zeus. But the temple was never completed. Yet even with its unfinished roof, it was the largest Doric temple ever built.
The Telamoni of the Valley of the Temples at Agrigento are a fascinating example of ancient Greek architecture. These giant statues, over 7 metres high, were part of a monumental temple dedicated to Zeus. The temple measured more than 110 metres in length and was complete with these "stone giants" supporting its architrave (hillside). Although the temple was never fully completed, its remains attest to the immense size and importance of Agrigento in the ancient world.
Today, you can see one of the original telamon in its reconstructed form at its original location among the ruins in the Valley of the Temples. In fact, in 2004, the Valley of the Temples Park launched a major research campaign. This study led to the careful cataloguing of 90 fragments belonging to at least eight different telamon and the decision to assemble a new telamon, piece by piece, and place it upright in front of the Temple of Zeus. The legs, the bust, the arms raised at the shoulders to symbolically support the pillars of the temple, and the head can thus be distinguished. As the ankles of the reconstructed statue are very thin, it is impossible that it could have had a supporting function.
A tour of the Agrigento Archaeological Museum is ideal for history buffs. In addition to the telamona, you will find other important monuments such as the temples of Concordia or Hercules.
