Theocoleon, Archaeological site in Ancient Olympia, Greece

Theocoleon is an archaeological site in Olympia with stone ruins and foundations from the Classical period. The remains show building techniques used in religious structures of that era.

The Theocoleon was built in the mid-5th century BC outside the Altis, north of Pheidias's workshop, as the seat of the theokoloi, the priests of Olympia. It was enlarged and remodelled through the Hellenistic period, when a larger peristyle court with more rooms was added around 300 BC, and again in Roman times with extra rooms and a further court on the east side.

The name Theocoleon comes from the theokoloi, the priests of Olympia who lived here; the building also housed the sanctuary's permanent staff, including the spondophoroi (truce-bearers), seers, interpreters, flute-players and the xyleas, who supplied wood for sacrifices. Pausanias notes that in front of the Theocoleon stood a building with an altar of Pan in its corner.

The site is part of the larger archaeological complex and can be reached on foot from the main entrances. Sturdy shoes are helpful since the ground is uneven and sometimes overgrown with vegetation.

Pausanias, who visited Olympia in the 2nd century AD, records that in front of the Theocoleon stood a small building with an altar of Pan in one corner. The Theocoleon itself housed the theokoloi, the priests of Olympia, along with seers, flute players and the xyléas who supplied wood for sacrifices.