Section G

The Statue of Zeus

Where is it? The Statue of Zeus is located about 150 km west of Athens, on the western coast of modern Greece, in the ancient town of Greece.

History The tremendous temple of Zeus was built around 450 B.C., and designed by a great architect named Libon. This Doric-style temple was too boring to visitors so they decided to build a magnificent statue. Phedias, an Athenian sculptor, was hired for this divine job. After the statue was finished, visitors from all over the world came to look at this beautiful temple and the new Statue of Zeus that lay inside. In the first century A.D. the Roman emperor Caligula tried to transport the statue to Rome. Caligula failed in doing this because the structure, that was built by his workmen, collapsed. This tragedy made Theodosius, the emperor of that time, cancel the Olympics and closed the temple of Zeus.

What happened to it? After the temple was reconstructed it was moved by wealthy Greeks to a palace in Constantinople. It suffered through earthquakes, landslides and floods. But the temple was also damaged by fire in the fifth century A.D and did not survive.

Description The Statue of Zeus has in his right hand has a figure of Victory made of gold and ivory. In his left hand lies a staff, made of every kind of metal, and has an eagle perched on the top. His robe and sandals are made of fine gold, and his garments are carved with lilies and animals. The tremendous throne is decorated with precious stones, ivory, ebony, and gold. Phidias, the sculptor of the statue, started working on his masterpiece in 440 B.C. One of the reasons he was chosen for the job was because he had developed a technique to build enormous statues made of gold and ivory. He started by constucting a wooden frame and then placing metal and ivory sheets to make an outer covering. Still lying in Olympia is Pheidia's workshop, where he carved every piece of the statue of Zeus before it was put together. After the statue was built it seemed too large for the temple. One Greek historian and geographer, Strabo, quoted: "..although the temple itself is very large, the sculptor is criticized for not having appreciated the correct proportions. He has shown Zeus seated, but with the head almost touching the ceiling, so that we have the impression that if Zeus moved to stand up he would unroof the temple." Although many disliked the statue being the size of a modern four-story building, many were proud of having a tall statue of a god. This statue was truly the greatest work in Greek sculpture.

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