Mount Lykaion

Mount Lykaion in Arcadia, Greece, was one of the most important Zeus sanctuaries in the ancient world, sacred to Zeus Lykaios who was said to have been born there. At 1,382 metres on the southern peak sits an open-air ash altar with continuous cult activity from the Mycenaean period through the Hellenistic era. Excavations recovered over 20 bronze tripods, a miniature bronze hand holding a silver lightning bolt, coins, and a Minoan rock crystal seal dating to c. 1450 BC. The lower sanctuary contained a hippodrome of roughly 300 by 125 metres -- the only extant example in the Greek world -- where Pan-Hellenic athletic games were held every four years.