The Statue of Zeus at Olympia
Engraving, by Philips Galle, after Maarten van Heemskerck, 1572
Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam

The statue was located in the sanctuary of Olympia in Greece. Crafted by the renowned sculptor Phidias around 435 BC, the statue depicted the Greek god Zeus seated on a grand throne, constructed of ivory and gold-plated bronze. Towering over 12 metres in height, it embodied the peak of classical Greek sculpture and was celebrated for its lifelike portrayal of divine majesty. Visitors from far and wide came to marvel at its magnificence and offer homage to Zeus, the king of the gods. However, like many of the wonders, the fate of the statue met destruction, possibly in a fire that ravaged the temple in the 5th or 6th century AD, leaving behind only the memory of its once awe-inspiring presence.




See Seven Wonders of the World