Zeus Statue Olympia

Zeus Statue Olympia – A Look at the Iconic Statue of Zeus

You may all recognize the Greek God, Zeus, in many popular culture references and ancient Greek art identifying him as the ruler of the skies, God of thunder, and King of all Gods on Mount Olympus. The Greek mythological figure was admired by all and was a source of inspiration for many artists. This article will take you through everything you need to know about the Zeus Statue in Olympia built by Phidias.

 

 

The Statue of Zeus at Olympia

Artist NamePhidias (c. 490 – 430 BCE)
Date435 BCE
Medium Ivory plates, gold, cedarwood, cypress, precious stones
Dimensions (m)12.4
Sculpture Type Chryselephantine

The Olympian statue of the mythological Greek God, Zeus is one of the most important artworks from ancient Greek art. The sculpture was constructed around 435 BCE by a Greek sculptor called Phidias. You may or may have not heard of the Zeus Statue of Olympia but it was most notable for being one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, a work of classical antiquity.

Measuring approximately 12.4 meters tall, this statue was just one masterpiece from Pheidias’ incredible track record. Unfortunately, the original sculpture perished along with the temple in which it was situated.

 

Architect of the Zeus Statue: Phidias of Ancient Greece

While the original statue of Zeus at Olympia may have perished around the 5th century AD, we can still admire the history of the once brilliant sculpture and the work of its maker, Phidias. Phidias, also called Pheidias, was a talented Greek artist who specialized in not only sculpture but architecture and painting as well. Pheidias was also responsible for the construction of the goddess Athena on the Acropolis of Athens, Athena Parthenos as well as Athena Promachos.

Phidias was also affiliated with the major Greek politician, Pericles, who often commissioned the talents of Phidias for many historical works.

Who Made the Zeus SculpturePainting of the sculptor, Phidias Showing the Frieze of the Parthenon to his Friends (1868), by Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema. Located in the Birmingham Museums Trust in Birmingham, United Kingdom; Lawrence Alma-Tadema, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Phidias was somewhat of a high-profile artist and this too made him subject to attack and sabotage. At one point he was even accused of stealing the gold that was meant to be used for the construction of Athena Parthenos. Pericles was known to have many enemies and this invited a sly ploy whereby Phidias was used as a pawn to take down Pericles. Another tragedy struck and Phidias was then imprisoned and ended up passing away in jail.

Phidias did leave behind a significant legacy, cementing his place in the history of ancient Greece as the first sculptor to craft the Gods out of ivory and gold.

 

History of the Zeus Sculpture

While we may not have access to the original Greek Zeus sculpture, details from its record and account provided much insight into the magnificent sculpture. The image of the Zeus statue was also found on the faces of coins, hinting at the level of significance that the sculpture held. The creation of Zeus at Olympia was commissioned by the custodians of the Olympic Games, which was a series of competitive athletic events held for representatives of each city-state. The custodians were known as the Eleans and they required a new Zeus sculpture for the newly erected Temple of Zeus, which was built in the second quarter of the 5th century BCE.

According to accounts, the statue took up half of the width of the temple’s aisle, and the geographer Strabo also observed that the statue was so large that it seemed as though Zeus would break through the roof if he could stand up.

The Olympia statue of Zeus was created using a wooden framework, which was then layered with gold panels and ivory plates. The figure of Zeus was positioned on a cedarwood throne, which was coated in paint and decorated with ivory, gold, ebony, and other precious materials. This sculpture is known as a chryselephantine sculpture. In ancient Greece, chryselephantine sculptures were regarded as high-status artworks for their ornamental and lavish constituents. According to an account by a 2nd-century geographer, Pausanias, the Zeus statue was adorned with a wreath crown with olive sprays.

Greek ArtSketch of the statue of Zeus at Olympia (1904); Luckenbach, H. (Hermann), 1856-1949, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

The figure was also dressed in a gilded robe crafted out of glass and featured small carved images of lilies and animals. In Zeus’ right hand was a chryselephantine statuette of Nike, the goddess of victory and on the left was a scepter supporting the eagle. The throne on which Zeus sat was embellished with many decorative elements such as gold and precious stones. Zeus also wore golden sandals that rested on a footstool. Each element in the sculpture was decorated with incredible detail.

The footstool contained imagery of an Amazonomachy relief, which was known as a depiction of a mythological battle between the ancient Greeks and the Amazons.

The upkeep of such a prestigious sculpture was also paid much attention to. According to Pausanias, the statue was always coated with a layer of olive oil to ensure minimal damage to the ivory, which was affected by the Altis grove. The floor at the front was paved using black tiles that were surrounded by a raised marble area that would catch the oil. The pool of oil served as a reflecting pool that enhanced the perception of the statue’s height.

Origins of the Zeus SculptureA 2005 photograph of the supposed workshop of Phidias at Olympia, where it is said he fashioned the chryselephantine statue of Zeus, one of the Seven Wonders of the World; Alun Salt, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Between 1954 and 1958, Phidias’ Workshop was rediscovered and this is said to be the location where Phidias began constructing the Zeus statue. The statue was confirmed to be dated to around the third quarter of 5 BC. Some of the archaeological finds included the artist’s tools for working with ivory and gold, pieces of ivory, terracotta molds, and remains of precious stones.

Archaeologists also discovered a cup inscribed with ΦΕΙΔΙΟΥ ΕΙΜΙ, which translates to I belong to Phidias.

Even Pliny the Elder admired Phidias’ work, describing it as a sculpture that no one could have equaled. What inspired Phidias’ portrayal of Zeus? According to a legend, Phidias replied to this inquiry by reciting a passage from Homer’s Iliad (I.528-530), which reads “He said and nodded with his shadowy brows; wav’d on the immortal head the ambrosial locks, and all Olympus trembled at his nod.”

 

Making of the Zeus Statue

Phidias did not accomplish his artistic projects alone and held his workshop with various craftsmen. The archaeological finds from his workshop found many tools that appeared to have different purposes and were indicative that Phidias has his specialized team. The workshop was situated near the temple and contained drawings used for the project planning. Phidias employed the help of cabinet-makers to construct the different parts of the statue.

Phidias then used ivory to carve thin slices, which would then cover the skin of Zeus.

Olympia Statue of ZeusThe statue of Zeus at Olympia by Phidias (1835), as imagined by engraver John Jackson; John Jackson, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

When the ivory plates were completed, they were fixed with glue and then polished to hide the visible joints and give off a brand-new glossy shine. Zeus’ clothing was made out of gold and consisted of thin leaves contoured to the wooden structure. The final sculpture was so perfect and blended that the joints were not visible so it gave off the facade that the statue was made of pure gold and ivory.

The throne of Zeus was not solid gold or ivory, rather, it was painted over.

It is believed that Phidias employed the assistance of his family member, Panaenos, to execute the painting of the throne. Not much is known about the reasoning behind the use of glass on the sculpture but perhaps it was used for opulence’s sake since glass was an expensive material and most likely imported from the Eastern Mediterranean area.

 

Associated Costs

While the accounts on the costs of building the statue are very vague, it is of no surprise that the materials used were considered very high-cost. There are no historical records or physical documents that allude to the exact costs but it is known that the statue required a large number of metals and ivory.

The ivory was most likely imported from Egypt and one can only imagine the costs associated with its transportation, sourcing, and labor.

Ruins of the Statue of Zeus TempleToppled ruins of the Temple of Zeus at Olympia, Greece; Michael Nicht, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Regarding labor costs, it is known that several people worked on the statue for many years with Phidias’ salary being the highest. The only account that hints at the cost attributed to the sculpture is the record of Phidias being accused of embezzlement and stowing away extra funds for himself from the designated funding.

 

The Hellenistic Temple of Zeus

The temple of Zeus followed the basics of classical Greek architecture and was rectangular with many rows of columns, approximately 10 meters high. The roof of the temple had two slopes that rose 22 meters high and formed a gable on the facades located at the front and back. Both pediments were intricately designed; the front pediment represented Zeus in the center surrounded by preparatory scenes for the chariot race.

The pediment at the back portrayed the battle of Centaurs with the Lapiths.

Statue of Zeus at OlympiaDrawing of the Temple of Zeus at Olympia by Mauro Cateb; Mauro Cateb, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Positioned in the center of the western pediment was Apollo. The sunlight also affected the presence of Apollo and he appeared in the vestibule when the sun rose and even reached as far as the Naos section of the temple, which can be likened to the nave of a church. Two rows of columns support the structure’s wooden frame.

Inside the temple were two levels; a spiral staircase and an opisthodomos, which was a room containing any offerings.

The opisthodomos was closed off to the public but its intricate decorations can be seen at the Louvre in Paris. The temple floors were crafted out of huge slabs of limestone encased in marble. The Zeus statue was situated in the Naos section and was constructed 20 years after the temple had been established.

 

Symbolism Behind the Zeus Statue

While the image of Zeus is often portrayed as an older, strong man, Phidias represented Zeus with a divine calm nature that held more power than that of the other representations of Zeus. The image of a well-put-together Zeus was different since many other artists chose to present Zeus as angered with a thunderbolt in hand, ready to strike.

Phidias wanted to showcase Zeus as self-assured towards victory.

Zeus SculpturePrint of Zeus in Olympia, Phidias’ statue in gold and ivory in Olympia’s main temple. The statue was 12 meters high and decorated with paintings and precious stones; Quatremère de Quincy, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Some of the symbols featured in the sculpture are the olive tree crown, which was a symbol of power and victory, as seen in his right hand. Phidias thus embedded the profound message that Zeus was guarding the city with more benevolence than ever demonstrated.

This coincided with the development of Greek culture and the co-existence of their beliefs that allowed them to live without fear and be able to achieve progress in their civilization.

 

Tales of the Zeus Statue

According to some sources, it has been rumored that the statue of Zeus contained references to Phidias’ lover, Pantarces. Pausanias also alluded to this in his observation, which states that four rods appear at the base of the throne accompanied by figures. One of the figures was a young boy depicted as holding a ribbon of victory over his head and is said to be modeled after Pantarces. Even Clement of Alexandria claimed that Phidias included the phrase Pantarkes kalos meaning Pantarkes is beautiful on the finger of Zeus, indicating a direct reference to the romantic nature of Phidias’ relationship to Pantarces.

While many people can admire Phidias’ sculpture as a work of art, it was also regarded as a significant figure and representation of an actual God on Earth for the people of the ancient world.

Pausanias also referred to the sculpture as ὁ θεὸς, which translates to “the God” and is not referred to by its earthly value as a sculpture or image of a God. Ancient Greeks and Romans took their mythological beliefs quite seriously, especially in art and sculpture. Sculptures modeled after these figures were thought to serve as a mediation between the heavens and humans.

The sculpture of a mythological figure can be compared to a communication device so if an individual were to converse with the sculpture, they would also be conversing directly with the God or Goddess in front of them. The Zeus sculpture was more than just a communication channel.

It was revered and almost worshiped for its preservation and immortalization of the divine.

The narrative around the sculpture had also gained further adoration for an account that states that when Phidias completed the statue, he asked Zeus directly if it pleased him and Zeus responded when “thunder fell from the sky and opened a hole in the ground”, signifying Zeus’ approval of Phidias’ fine workmanship. Phidias was therefore seen as a figure who was favored by the Gods and would thus make him stand out and become a tragic target for those who resented his friend, the politician Pericles.

 

Critiques of the Zeus Statue

A Greek philosopher by the name of Dio Chrysostom from the first century remarked that if animals were to even catch a glimpse of the Zeus statue that they would offer themselves up willingly as sacrifices to Zeus. One can only imagine the grandeur and spectacle that the sculpture held for a temple visitor. Dio further stated that a person would also forget all their hardships if one had to stand before the great Zeus. The magnitude of the sculpture’s impact and ability to sway the public was evident.

Phidias’ artistic abilities were still critiqued in a less appreciative manner of the greater meaning of his work.

The Olympia Statue of ZeusStatue of Zeus at Olympia print with a Latin caption. This is part of a series about the eight wonders of the world; Rijksmuseum, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Strabo criticized the Zeus sculpture for its lack of proportion to the temple. News of the great sculpture reached the ears of Emperor Gaius Caesar, the Roman Emperor who was also known as Caligula, who wished to bring the statue to Rome and replace Zeus’ bust with his head. According to the historian Suetonius, the only reason the plan was never acted on was because of the assassination of Caligula. The story goes that as the statue was being prepared for shipping, the statue caused the scaffolding to collapse and the workers to flee.

This was thought to be a sign from the Gods of their disapproval of the emperor’s plans and was also a foretelling of the fate of the Emperor and his death.

 

Fall of the Zeus Statue and Legacy

Theodosius the Great (Theodosius I), a Christian follower, was not a fan of the pagan Gods and in 391 BCE, he issued a statement that forbade all pagan sites. During this time, the Olympic Games were also forbidden and Olympia culturally fell. Fast forward to 408 CE, a document was issued that formally called on the removal of all statues from their temples and this became a historical turning point that marked the destruction of the ancient world.

Many scholars believe that the statue of Zeus was moved to Constantinople but was then lost to the fifth and sixth centuries.

The statue is said to have been destroyed around 475 AD by a fire that broke out at the Palace of Lausus, but more historians tend to believe the other cause of destruction was most likely an earthquake or tsunami around the 5th or 6th century. The impact that the Zeus statue had on the rest of art history was substantial enough despite the elusive nature of its destruction and later provenance.

The statue inspired many artists like Salvador Dalí and Van Heemskerck to incorporate the legend of Zeus into their works. In Dalí’s Atomic Leda (1949), one can see his clear reference to the story of Leda, the daughter of Thestius (the King of Aetolia), who Zeus fell in love with but was rejected by her so he transformed himself into a swan. The painting shows Leda caressing a swan (Zeus), executed using divine proportions, which was a classic technique used in Italian Renaissance art.

The “suspended space” that is represented also makes reference to a divine love without physical contact between the subjects in the painting and gives us insight into the less aggressive tendencies associated with common narratives of Zeus.

 

The Roman Statue of Zeus (1st Century)

This statue of Zeus is said to be the closest reference to the original Olympian Zeus statue created by Phidias. Built around the first century, this copy of Zeus originated from ancient Rome but is known as the Statue of Jupiter, sculpted out of marble and weighing approximately 16,000 kilograms.

Jupiter is the Roman mythological deity that is the equivalent God of the sky and of thunder.

Copy of the Zeus SculptureRoman Seated Zeus, made out of marble and bronze (restored), following the type established by Phidias. This statue is located at the Hermitage Museum in Saint Petersburg, Russia; Sanne Smit, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Housed at the Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg, the Statue of Jupiter was originally owned by Giampietro Campana, who was a famous Italian art collector and a huge fan of art from ancient Rome and Greece. The sculpture of Jupiter was then acquired by Emperor Alexander II and found its way to Hermitage around 1861.

 

The Zeus statue of Olympia was definitely a statue that received a great deal of attention and would have received much more if it had survived ancient Greco-Roman history. What remains of the once powerful statue is a vague account of its provenance, construction, and unfortunate demise of its talented maker, Phidias.

 

 

 

Frequently Asked Questions

 

Who Built the Olympia Statue of Zeus?

The Olympia statue of Zeus was built by the Greek sculptor Phidias around 435 BCE alongside several other workshop employees of varied artisan skills.

 

Who Was Phidias?

Phidias was a Greek sculptor, painter, and architect who was famous for his artistic contributions to ancient Greek sculpture. Phidias was responsible for the creation of the Zeus statue of Olympia and the Athena Parthenos statue in the Acropolis.

 

What Does the Zeus Statue Symbolize?

The Zeus statue served as a symbol of power, victory, and protection over the Olympian city. The statue of the God of thunder and the skies was a powerful form of protection and a connection to the divine realm.

 

How Was the Zeus Sculpture Destroyed?

The Zeus sculpture was destroyed by an earthquake or tsunami that occurred around the fifth or sixth century. Other theories state that the sculpture was possibly destroyed in a fire at the Palace of Lausus.

 

Are Jupiter and Zeus the Same God?

Jupiter is the Roman equivalent to the God of the sky and thunder as described in Greek mythology, which is Zeus. Zeus is also the ruler of Mount Olympus, the heavenly residence of all the Gods. Many Roman mythological figures share the same function as Greek mythological figures, although the names differ.

 

Cite this Article

Jordan, Anthony, “Zeus Statue Olympia – A Look at the Iconic Statue of Zeus.” artfilemagazine – Your Online Art Source. October 5, 2022. URL: https://artfilemagazine.com/zeus-statue-olympia/

Anthony, J. (2022, 5 October). Zeus Statue Olympia – A Look at the Iconic Statue of Zeus. artfilemagazine – Your Online Art Source. https://artfilemagazine.com/zeus-statue-olympia/

Anthony, Jordan. “Zeus Statue Olympia – A Look at the Iconic Statue of Zeus.” artfilemagazine – Your Online Art Source, October 5, 2022. https://artfilemagazine.com/zeus-statue-olympia/.

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