Dome

Close view into the exedra; In 160 CE Herodes Atticus built a magnificent fountain, the nymphaeum or exedra (w. 33 m, h. about 13 m), in the form of a semicircle with a circular naiskos (small shrine) at each end. The walls were of brick with polychrome marble facing. Above the semicircular, probably two-storey wall, and in the apsidal recesses that made up the central façade, were 22 statues of Antoninus Pius (reigned 138-161 CE) and his family as well as the family of Herodes Atticus. The space between the two naiskoi was occupied by two superimposed basins. The water, from an abundant spring 4 km east of Olympia, ran from the nymphaeum via a network of conduits throughout the sanctuary. Source: Grove Art Online; http://www.groveart.com/ (accessed 11/4/2007)