OLYMPIAN. Jupiter Olympicus. The Grecians often gave to Jupiter, and to their other Gods, the Surname of the Places where they had famous Temples dedicated to them, and where they were chiefly worshipped. So he was called Jupiter Idæus, because of Mount Ida where he was educated. Cretensis, because of the Island Crete where he was born, and where his Sepulchre was to be seen. Jupiter Capitolinus, because of the Temple he had in the Capitol at Rome. Jupiter Fulminator, because of the Thunder he was thought to dispense. Jupiter Hospitalis, because he presided over Hospitality; and so of the rest. Antiochus Epiphanes having prophaned the Temple of Jerusalem, caused the Statue of Jupiter Olympicus to be set up there, where it remained 2 Macc. vi. 2.for three whole Years1, till Judas Maccabeus took it away from thence, and restored the Worship of the Lord. ‘Twas this Idol that Daniel called the Abomination that maketh desolate to be set up. At the same time the same Jupiter was set up in the Temple of Mount Gerizim in the Country of Samaria, but under the Name of Jupiter Hospitalis. See 2 Macc. vi. 2. Josephus says2, that the Samaritans offer’d of their own accord to consecrate their Temple of Gerizim to Græcian Jupiter.
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