Statue of Zeus at Olympia

ancient greece · sculpture · lost wonders

Impossibly Tall. The statue was about 41 feet tall, taller than four grown-ups stacked on top of each other. It was so enormous that it took up most of the inside of the Temple of Zeus where it sat.

Sculpted by Phidias. A famous Greek artist named Phidias created this masterpiece around 435 BC using his incredible skill. He was one of the most celebrated sculptors of ancient times.

King of the Gods. Zeus, the god the statue showed, was ruler of all the other gods in ancient Greek myths and god of the sky and thunder. The statue captured him sitting majestically on his throne.

Built for Worship. The statue stood inside the Temple of Zeus at Olympia, a sacred place where ancient Greeks came to honor their most powerful god. People traveled from far away to see this wonder.