# Zeus @ Olympia (DD-096)

> 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.

- Department: History (also Locations)
- First published: 2023-11-27
- Last updated: 2023-11-27
- Permalink: https://detailenjoyer.com/case/zeus-at-olympia/
- Author: Marcus Easterling (DetailEnjoyer), The Detail Department

## Quick facts

- **DD-096-F01**: Phidias made the statue around 435 BC. _(Write-up · Exhibit A (Phidias))_
- **DD-096-F02**: It was made of ivory and gold. _(Write-up · Exhibit C (Ivory and gold))_

## Write-up

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

1. **Phidias**: Phidias made the statue around 435 BC.
2. **Seated giant**: Zeus sat on an ornate throne, about 12.4 m tall.
3. **Ivory and gold**: It was chryselephantine: ivory flesh and gold robes.
4. **Lost**: It was lost in the 5th century AD.
5. **Two traditions**: One says a fire in Constantinople in 475; another says the temple fire of 425.

## Related case files

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- [The Opening Ceremony (DD-283)](https://detailenjoyer.com/case/the-opening-ceremony/): I linked more Olympic history

## Reel vs. record

- **Note**: 'Likely destroyed in a fire in the 5th century AD': fair. Sources give two accounts, Constantinople in 475 AD or the temple fire of 425 AD.
- **Note**: 'No. 3' is the order of his own series, not an official ranking.

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

- Duration: 37.8 s · Published: 2023-11-27
- File: https://detailenjoyer.com/assets/videos/C0K1WFaJCfL.mp4

### Transcript

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!

## Questions & answers

**Q: Who sculpted the statue?**  
A: Around 435 BC. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (Phidias) · Wikipedia: Statue of Zeus at Olympia)_

**Q: What pose was Zeus in?**  
A: Enthroned. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit B (Seated giant) · Wikipedia: Statue of Zeus at Olympia)_

**Q: What was the statue made of?**  
A: That's chryselephantine. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit C (Ivory and gold) · Wikipedia: Statue of Zeus at Olympia)_

**Q: When was the statue lost?**  
A: Two traditions describe how. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit D (Lost) · Wikipedia: Statue of Zeus at Olympia; Wikipedia: Seven Wonders of the Ancient World)_

**Q: Which city appears in one account of its end?**  
A: The Palace of Lausus fire. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit E (Two traditions) · Wikipedia: Statue of Zeus at Olympia)_

## Sources

- [Wikipedia: Statue of Zeus at Olympia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Statue_of_Zeus_at_Olympia)
- [Wikipedia: Seven Wonders of the Ancient World](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seven_Wonders_of_the_Ancient_World)

## 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/