Towards the end of his life, to realize Olympia Phidias, a statue of Zeus widely described by Pausanias. It will be completed around 430 BC.

This work is the third of the wonders of the world (Lighthouse of Alexandria – Temple of Diana at Ephesus – the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus – Colossus of Rhodes – a statue of Olympian Zeus – Hanging Gardens of Babylon – Pyramid of Cheops) described in the book ” De septem orbis miraculis “attributed to Philo of Byzantium (third century BC). The seated statue, which measured 12 meters in height, resting on a base of 1 meter and a pedestal two feet high. The hair, beard, sandals and the cloth which covered the body of Zeus were gold and ivory skin. The throne of ivory and ebony, which included jewels, and was decorated with inscriptions. In his right hand, Zeus was the figure of Victory (Athena Nike, the goddess of victory) in ivory and gold, and in his left hand a scepter topped by an eagle. Her sandals were also made in gold. Legend has it that Zeus had sent thunder to signify his approval. The barbarians in this work will reserve the same fate as the statue of Athena Parthenos. The fact remains that the base and drums of the columns collapsed. The museum built near the ruins, preserved important fragments of sculptures, unfortunately anonymous, who came.

Temple of Zeus