The columns in the foreground are part of the remains of the Olympieion, also known as the Temple of Olympic Zeus. This vast temple was dedicated to Zeus, King of the Gods. During the Roman period, it was renowned as the largest temple in Greece. The Acropolis, with the ruins of the Parthenon, can be seen beyond. The photograph is signed, captioned and dated in the negative, 'F Bedford Athens', 31 May 1862. See RCIN 2861698 for another print of this image.