Statue of Zeus at Olympia

The Temple of Zeus, a prominent place of worship for the Greek king of gods, was located in the ancient city-state of Olympia (birthplace of the Olympic Games), near present-day Athens, Greece. The sculpture of the cult statue of Zeus was entrusted to Greek sculptor Pheidas, who also created the Parthenon’s cult statue of Athena.

The statue was completed in 435 B.C. and was 40 feet tall. It barely fit in the temple and awed visitors for its massive size.

The statue depicted Zeus seated on a cedar throne inlaid with gold, ivory, precious stones, and precious wood, and decorated with sphinxes and winged statues. His sandals and robe were also made of gold. In his right hand Nike the goddess of victory rested – made from ivory and gold – and in his left hand a scepter inlaid with precious metals and with a statue of an eagle perched on it.

See the others wonders of the ancient world:

1. Great Pyramid of Giza
2. Hanging Gardens of Babylon
3. Temple of Artemis at Ephesus
4. Mausoleum of Maussollos at Halicarnassus
5. Colossus of Rhodes
6. Lighthouse of Alexandria

Return to the seven wonders of the ancient world

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