The Temple of Zeus at Olympia -The Seven Wonders of the Ancient World | Part 3

The statue of Zeus at Olympia existed for over 800 years and was a technological feat, sculpted by one of the most famous artists of classical Greece known for none other, than the parthenon in Athens. It drew thousands of pilgrims, and a Roman emperor even tried to steal it - but not without the wrath of the gods coming down upon him first. Can one statue really cause this much fuss? Let’s get into it.

Welcome to episode 3 of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World Series! Who actually came up with this list, and why is it only possible to visit one of them today? Did the rest of the wonders even exist? Let's find out.

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Strabo, who lived in the 1st century wrote:
The statue is made of ivory and it is of such size that although the temple itself is very large, the sculptor may be criticised for not having appreciated the correct proportions. He has shown Zeus seated, but with the head almost touching the ceiling, so that we have the impression that if Zeus moved to stand up, he would unroof the temple.

Pausanias, who was a geographer and writer in the 2nd century CE, gave us quite the vivid description of what the statue looked like. He wrote:

On his head lies a sculpted wreath of olive sprays. On his right hand he holds a figure of Victory made from ivory and gold… In his left hand the god holds his sceptre inlaid with every kind of metal, and the bird perched on the sceptre is an eagle. The sandals of the god are made of gold, as is his robe, and his garments are carved with animals and with lily flowers. The throne is decorated with gold and with precious stones, with ebony and with ivory.

Zeus rested his very fancy gold-gilded feet on a footstool that was decorated with a relief of an Amazonachy - which is a mythological battle between the Greeks and the Amazons.

The Throne that Zeus sat on was also extensively decorated, with sphinxes, more winged figures of victory, and a scene of the gods Apollo and Artemis shooting down all of Niobe’s children.- Another greek myth that I think is supposed to teach you not to brag about being super fertile and having lots of children to a goddess who only had two of them.

Pheidias also included another scene… one of Pantarkes who was the winner of the boy’s wrestling event at the 86th Olympiad… who was said to have been Pheidias’ lover! Oh damn, we love a good hidden love story captured forever in stone. He apparently also carved Pantarkes is Beautiful into Zeus’ little finger.

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