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Zeus @ Olympia

Short answer: The Statue of Zeus at Olympia was a giant seated figure, about 12.4 m tall, made by the Greek sculptor Phidias around 435 BC for the Temple of Zeus at Olympia. It was chryselephantine: ivory plates for the flesh and gold for the robes, over a wooden framework, and it sat on an ornate throne.

It was lost in the 5th century AD. One tradition says it was taken to Constantinople and destroyed in the fire of the Palace of Lausus in 475 AD. Another says it perished with the temple, which was badly damaged by fire in 425 AD. The footage shows renderings of the statue, the temple and a fire. This is No. 3 in his Seven Wonders of the Ancient World series.

VideoWrite-up2 sources

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What should you know about Zeus @ Olympia?

Quick facts. Each one stands alone and has a stable ID you can cite.

  1. Phidias made the statue around 435 BC.

    DD-096-F01 · Write-up · Exhibit A (Phidias)

  2. It was made of ivory and gold.

    DD-096-F02 · Write-up · Exhibit C (Ivory and gold)

Video transcript: Zeus @ Olympia: One of the Ancient Wonders Was Made of Ivory and Gold

The 7 Wonders of the Ancient World No. 3 the statue of Zeus at Olympia The statue of Zeus at Olympia was a masterpiece created by the ancient Greek sculptor Phidias. DID YOU KNOW? It depicted the god Zeus seated on a magnificent throne. What makes it particularly interesting is the use of materials in its construction. The statue was made primarily of ivory and gold with the ivory forming the god's flesh and the gold used for his drapery and other details. This combination of precious materials not only added to the statue's grandeur but also showcased the advanced artistic skills of ancient Greek sculptors. Unfortunately the statue was lost to history likely destroyed in a fire in the 5th century AD. NOW YOU KNOW!

Burned-in captions, read frame by frame (see transcript.md) · 37.8s Reel ·

Video coming soonZeus @ Olympia · Instagram Reel
Zeus @ Olympia: One of the Ancient Wonders Was Made of Ivory and Gold Instagram Reel · · 37.8s

The write-up

One of the ancient wonders was made of ivory and gold. Phidias built the seated Zeus around 435 BC.

  1. Exhibit A

    Phidias

    Phidias made the statue around 435 BC.

  2. Exhibit B

    Seated giant

    Zeus sat on an ornate throne, about 12.4 m tall.

  3. Exhibit C

    Ivory and gold

    It was chryselephantine: ivory flesh and gold robes.

  4. Exhibit D

    Lost

    It was lost in the 5th century AD.

  5. Exhibit E

    Two traditions

    One says a fire in Constantinople in 475; another says the temple fire of 425.

Questions people ask about Zeus @ Olympia

Who sculpted the statue?

Around 435 BC.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (Phidias) · Wikipedia: Statue of Zeus at Olympia

What pose was Zeus in?

Enthroned.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit B (Seated giant) · Wikipedia: Statue of Zeus at Olympia

What was the statue made of?

That's chryselephantine.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit C (Ivory and gold) · Wikipedia: Statue of Zeus at Olympia

When was the statue lost?

Two traditions describe how.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit D (Lost) · Wikipedia: Statue of Zeus at Olympia; Wikipedia: Seven Wonders of the Ancient World

Which city appears in one account of its end?

The Palace of Lausus fire.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit E (Two traditions) · Wikipedia: Statue of Zeus at Olympia

Test Your Knowledge

All quizzes →

5 questions, all from this case file. Answers are revealed instantly.

  1. Who sculpted the statue?

    1. Phidias
    2. Praxiteles
    3. Michelangelo
    4. Myron
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. Phidias Around 435 BC. Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (Phidias) · Wikipedia: Statue of Zeus at Olympia

  2. What pose was Zeus in?

    1. Seated on a throne
    2. Standing
    3. Riding a horse
    4. Lying down
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. Seated on a throne Enthroned. Source: Write-up · Exhibit B (Seated giant) · Wikipedia: Statue of Zeus at Olympia

  3. What was the statue made of?

    1. Ivory and gold
    2. Bronze
    3. Marble
    4. Iron
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. Ivory and gold That's chryselephantine. Source: Write-up · Exhibit C (Ivory and gold) · Wikipedia: Statue of Zeus at Olympia

  4. When was the statue lost?

    1. 5th century AD
    2. Last century
    3. 1st century BC
    4. Never
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. 5th century AD Two traditions describe how. Source: Write-up · Exhibit D (Lost) · Wikipedia: Statue of Zeus at Olympia; Wikipedia: Seven Wonders of the Ancient World

  5. Which city appears in one account of its end?

    1. Constantinople
    2. Babylon
    3. Memphis
    4. Carthage
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. Constantinople The Palace of Lausus fire. Source: Write-up · Exhibit E (Two traditions) · Wikipedia: Statue of Zeus at Olympia

Cite this case file

Easterling, Marcus. "Zeus @ Olympia." The Detail Department (DetailEnjoyer), case file DD-096, last updated Nov 27, 2023. https://detailenjoyer.com/case/zeus-at-olympia/

Permalink: https://detailenjoyer.com/case/zeus-at-olympia/ · Last updated

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Cite a single fact by its ID, for example DD-096-F01 → https://detailenjoyer.com/case/zeus-at-olympia/#DD-096-F01

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