Which ancient Greek sculptor erected the statue of Zeus. Travels from A to Z
The town of Olympia is located on the Peloponnese peninsula, 150 km west of Elis.
The famous archaeological complex at the foot of Mount Kronos welcomes tourists all year round who come to see the site of the first Olympic Games and its main attraction - the Temple of Zeus, where once, many centuries ago, an incredible statue of the Thunderer stood, striking the eyes.
According to new research, this would be roughly where the entrance to the Templar castle is today. United territories and an important commercial port. It is ally based. The Macedonians try to break this alliance, but the people of Rhodes are united and resist the siege. The Colosseum of Rhodes was built in honor of the sun god Helios as thanks for protecting the inhabitants during the siege. Chare Lindos, a sculptor on this island, was hired to build the statue. The statue would guard the entrance to the port for 56 years.
When the sun rose in the morning, it reflected on the surface of the bronze and made the figure of the god shine. After the Arabs conquered the island in 653, they sold the statue to a Syrian Jew who carried 900 camels, as the legend goes. It is said that 15 tons of bronze and 9 tons of iron were used, but calculations show that these quantities were even higher.
Temple of Zeus at Olympia, built 471–456 BC. e. architect Libo, is an excellent example of an early classical Doric temple, strict in its architecture.
The first religious buildings appeared in this area back in the third millennium BC, from 884 BC. e. Olympics began to be held here in honor of the supreme deity.
The theory that this colossus stood with one foot on each side of the harbor is simply a legend, because it is not stated in any writing. Can anyone tell you about the sculpture of Zeus? Zeus - once the most revered god in Olympia, who was in Ancient Greece. For many centuries, Olympia was one of the most important religious centers in Ancient Greece, which organized and organized Olympic Games, athletics and various festivals, and now it is a site that has been recognized as one of the seven wonders of the world.
Have you ever worried about ancient Greek history? Perhaps many will bow and say: the great sculpture of this great Zeus of this object and their historical knowledge will remain minimal. But those who are interested not only in history, but also in history different countries individually, can tell a lot about this object. It is clear that this is worth the interest in the culture and history of our country, but let's not forget that other countries have their own, so it may be that at least one country interested in generations is no longer stopping its will.
Olympia reached its peak by the 5th century BC. e. By this time, the Persian Wars had ended with the victory of the Greeks and interest in holding the Olympic Games had increased unusually. Thanks to the construction of a new temple in honor of Zeus, this area of ancient Greece became a pan-Hellenic religious center that attracted many pilgrims.
Famous and famous sculptor Athens, Pheidia, was chosen by the creator famous sculpture, since the inhabitants of Olympia decided to build a temple in honor of the highest God of that time - Zeus. Fedya was not chosen by chance; in his collection of works, several statues and Athens were famous. The temple was built from large stone blocks surrounded by columns. We are grateful, the building is impressive.
Everything can be described in the temple. The statue of Zeus itself was built in the temple. The temple was about 64 meters long and 28 meters wide. The interior was also impressive, reaching a height of up to 20 meters. At the end of the room one could see the sitting god Zeus, whose head was supported by the ceiling, his body naked to the waist. The statue was made of wood, his skin was made of ivory, and his clothes were made of gold plates. In one hand he held a sculpture of Nike, which meant the goddess of victory, and on the other hand he was supposed to or kept away for a long time.
Despite the fact that the Temple of Zeus was subsequently completely destroyed, a description by the ancient Greek historian Pausanias and a fairly large number of fragments remained. The work of archaeologists and historians to study them made it possible to reconstruct the appearance of the structure with a high degree of accuracy.
The temple was a Doric peripterus: 6 columns in width and 13 along the length of the base, built from solid shell rock. Marble was used in the decoration of the walls and roof.
Two-meter columns, they floated throughout the structure and were very impressive because Panon, Fejdic's assistant and relative, became the side of the throne of Zeus. Perhaps this is why the rule still remains that there is no need to share works with specialists, but with relatives. Of course, there was a joke here and no one could offend anyone.
It's a shame that so far no one has been able to save the statues of Zeus. Therefore, you are offered a cheap trip, swim in this “sea” of all this history and enjoy detailed stories a guide on how things are going. They say that modern Europe was born in Ancient Greece. The ancient Greeks did not have a single state, but they even had several strong independent poles, i.e. city-states.
The pediments were decorated with multi-figure sculptural compositions, and the entrance to the inner sanctuary - the cella, hidden behind the external columns of the facades, was decorated with a frieze with metopes dedicated to the exploits of Hercules.
In the cella itself there was a grandiose figure of Zeus, hidden from prying eyes by a curtain; it was revealed to enthusiastic spectators only at special moments of the festivities.
The most important ancient Greek political and cultural centers were located in what is now Greek territory - Athens, Sparta and Thessaly. The Greeks also established numerous colonies along the coast Mediterranean Sea. Their control zones were in the south of Italy, Sicily, the Anatolian Peninsula, Black Sea coast, In Cyprus.
Those who want to see the remains of ancient Greek culture will certainly find their way to the following places. The Parthenon Hill, sitting proudly on the hill, became one of the symbols of Athens. When visiting Athens, it is recommended to visit one of the most impressive archaeological museums in the world - National Museum archeology.
The sculpture of the deity sitting on the throne was no less than 15 meters in height and evoked in everyone who saw it a feeling of reverence for his power.
This magnificent work of ancient Greek art was included in the famous list of 7 wonders of the world.
In the Archaeological Museum in the park today you can see the main preserved values and sculptural works of the temple.
In total, 21 more or less well-preserved parts have survived to this day, including 3-meter figures from the pediments of the temple, parts of the sanctuaries of other deities.
In the museum you can also see a painting in which the artist tried to recreate the statue of Zeus, some works of the great Phidias, which miraculously survived to this day, and other finds of archaeologists.
Olympia, located on the Peloponnesian Peninsula of Greece, is one of the most important ancient Greek religious and sports centers. The Olympic Games took place for the Greek god Zeus. This event pioneered the Olympic Games. They are 394 years old. were banned because in this way an attempt was made to Christianize this land. At the Olympics, the temple of Zeus once stood, leaving only ruins.
The temple was dedicated to the highest Greek god: it was decorated with a sculpture of Zeus sitting at a height of 13 meters, recognized as one of the seven wonders of the Ancient World. Ancient Delphi has long been known as the Greek god Apollo. People came here to ask God for advice because the Oracle of Delphi was one of the most prominent magicians of the time.
The museum is open from 9.00 to 19.00, but new visitors are usually not allowed in after 15.00.
Statue of Zeus at Olympia - a wonder of the world
The figure of Olympian Zeus served as the center of the entire architectural composition of the temple. Made by the great sculptor of antiquity, Phidias, using a complex technique of combining ivory and gold, it was an outstanding work of classical art of ancient Greece.
Antique Kamir, Rhodes island, Greece. Ancient Camir is also called "Greek Pompeii" because after all this population left this prosperous city after an earthquake. This is one of the best preserved ancient greek cities, where you can visit the ruins of the Temple of Athena, public baths and other buildings.
The historic city on the island of Sicily has long been known as one of the most beautiful ancient Greek cities and is also an important harbour. Jem has 67 spectators - one of the largest Greek theaters. There is also Apollo and Zeus Temples, Roman amphitheater and other buildings in the ruins of Antiquity. The city southwest of Cyprus enjoys not only beach holidaymakers, but also an interest in history and archaeology. Cyprus has a thriving cult of Aphrodite, the goddess of love, fertility and beauty in Greece, and Paphos is considered the goddess of this goddess.
The remains of the temple were discovered in 1875, and in 1950 the workshop of Phidias was found, built in the image of the temple itself, where Great master and created his masterpiece.
The base of the statue of Olympian Zeus was made of wood and covered with plates of polished ivory, the clothes were made of gold, and precious stones served as the eyes.
Zeus sat on a luxurious golden throne, decorated precious stones and numerous sculptures.
The magnificent Temple of Aphrodite arose on the island. On the site of old Paphos there is now the village of Kukly. And New Paphos, which was located a kilometer from the Old Town, was founded by one of the Trojan commanders who returned to the coast of Cyprus after a major assault on the war. Underground royal tombs - they were rolled up in the rocks. Other historical places Paphos is the ancient Odeon theater, the remains of the Roman Agora and city walls, the wine of the god Dionysius, known as the ancient mosaic. Ephesus was one of the most important cities in what is now Turkey in the once prosperous province of Leeds, which, according to legend, founded the Amazons, a tribe of warrior women.
In his right hand he held a statue of Nike, human height, and in his left hand a golden scepter with an eagle sitting on it.
It is believed that 200 kg of gold were required to create this great creation.
According to the reconstruction, the armrests of the throne and the right palm of Zeus were at the level of the capitals of the first tier of columns.
If Zeus had to stand up to his full height, he would have pierced the ceiling of the temple with his head.
Although only about 10% of the city has been explored in archaeological sites, many finds provide insight into how it lived in ancient times. Ephesus was a market, an amphitheater, temples, libraries, public houses. In the northwestern part of Turkey, near the Sea of Marmara, the legendary Greek is collapsing. Still preserved defensive wall Trojan, several temples, a Roman theater and several houses. The legendary Trojan War is one of the most important events in ancient Greek mythology.
War broke out when Parry captured his beautiful wife Helen, the king of men, the king of the Spartans. After 12 years of siege on the Trojan city by the united Greeks, Troy was busy with wisdom. The Greeks, pretending to retreat, sent a huge horse, a gift from the gods, into the Trojan gates. Inside it, the Greeks, hiding in the troika that celebrated the victory, hid troops in the city at night, and therefore it was defeated.
The ivory plates required special care: to protect them from humid air, the priests of the temple lubricated it with olive oil, which flowed into a recess in the black marble that lined the floor space in front of the statue.
It was believed that every Hellene must see this sculpture once in his life, so as not to consider his life lived in vain.
Select the city you are traveling from. Enter the name of the city, country or airport. Magnificent giraffes and ornate fountains clinging to interconnected arches, marvels of the mountainous Iranian landscapes, have moved to the bleak plain of Mesopotamia - hanging gardens Babylon were a combination of virtuosity and romance. Unlike other ancient Sevens, they were not a monument of glory, but love is a luxurious gift built by the king to cheer up the long-suffering wife of the motherland. Enchant history, but isn't it just an illusion?
Did Nebuchadnezzar and Amiito really bypass these paths? Is Alexander the Bloody really dying hopelessly while trying to suppress his fever? The first credible historian to mention the Hanging Gardens was Berossus, who wrote around 270 BC. He says that Nebuchadnezzar built a new palace with stone lands or terraces that looked like a mountain landscape within 15 days. Her trees were planted on them, and this, according to Berossus, was a hanging park, intended to give the queen pleasure.
Not much is known about the fate of the great statue. Some sources believe that according to the edict of Theodoric, who ordered the destruction of all evidence of the pagan faith, the statue of Phidias Zeus Olympian in 394 AD e. was destroyed along with the temple.
Others report that before 475 AD. e. the sculpture was exhibited in one of the palaces of Constantinople and was lost during a fire.
It's not incredible. In ancient times, the alliance of parties was often strengthened by royal marriage, and it is likely that Nebuchadnezzar would probably lead the kingdom of Iran. One of Nebuchadnezzar's own notes, which Berossus apparently read, describes the new palace: they were as high as a mountain, partly built of stones and supposedly completed in 15 days. There is no mention of a park, but at that time a palace usually had a park.
Later the Greeks speak in much more detail. One clerk states that the gardens occupy a square area and were formerly 25 meters high, with a city wall. They were terraced, like a theatre, with small wooden buildings. The base consisted of many 7 m wide supporting walls set every 3 m, covered with stone beams. The ceilings were covered in three separate layers: a mixture of reed and asphalt, two rows of bricks and finally lead sheets. A layer of soil was poured over them and water was supplied through the river.
One way or another, this greatest work of human genius, like many others, unfortunately disappeared forever.
Today, tourists who come on an excursion to the Temple of Zeus first visit the archaeological museum of the complex.
The short road from the museum to Ancient Olympia passes in the shade of cypress, olive, apple and plum trees, as well as past flower beds covered with bright flowers.
In other works there are about 20 retaining walls. A third written source states that the garden stood on arches of bricks and asphalt, and the water was supplied by Archimedes screws installed next to the stairs. However, other sources explain that the supporting structure included stone columns and overlapping wooden beams. It was the thatch of palm trees, which dates back to the roots of garden trees instead of rotting. A complex network of fountains and canals hydrates the entire area.
Due to conflicting descriptions, some doubt that these gardens even exist. However, none of the aforementioned architectural features, other than the broken magazines, should surprise us. The visit by the Greeks probably meant that the palms were overgrown with higher ground, so we can reasonably find his remains among the remains of the ruins. Unfortunately, over the millennia, the Babylonian palace was devastated by people who sought to use the magnificent polished bricks for their construction. Only the foundations of the palace still remain.
The entrance price to the territory of Olympia is 6 euros, the same price for visiting the museum, but it is possible to purchase a comprehensive ticket for 9 euros.
The entrance gates to the complex are open from 8.00 to 19.00 - at summer season(May–October) and from 8.00 to 17.00 in winter (November–April).
On weekends – from 8.30 to 15.00.
After the tour, you can relax and have a snack in the cafe.
During hot hours, it is advisable to have sun protection and water. You will need 3-4 hours to examine ancient building was not fluent and superficial.
There is a drinking water fountain at the entrance.
This is one of the most visited historical monuments in Greece.
Temple pediments
The upper part of the Temple of Zeus, along its narrower side, ends at the top with a triangular pediment, bounded on both sides by roof slopes.
The western pediment is dedicated to the centauromachy: scene of the battle between the Lapiths and the centaurs.
The mythical tribe of Latifs, inhabitants of Thessaly, invited the neighboring tribe of centaurs to celebrate the marriage of their king Pirithous to Hippodamia.
Having drunk too much, one of the centaurs decided to kidnap the bride, which led to the start of a fierce battle.
The Lapiths, not without the help of Theseus, a friend of Pirithous, won the victory.
In the understanding of the ancient inhabitants of Hellas, this myth symbolized the victory of the developed culture of civilized human tribes over the wild natural principle of the centaurs.
The sculptural images of the western pediment are perceived as real, the whole scene is full of violent movement, in which, however, there is no chaos.
The artist balanced both parts of the composition with the central figure of a young, beautiful Apollo, watching what was happening with a slight smile on his lips.
His imperious figure, filled with calm superiority, leaves the audience no doubt about the outcome of the battle.
The eastern pediment is dedicated to the visualization of the myth of Pelops and King Oenomaus, to whom the Delphic oracle predicted death at the hands of his son-in-law.
Oenomaus's father, the god of war Ares, left him a legacy of fabulously fleet-footed horses and to all applicants for the hand of his daughter Hippodamia, Oenomaus offered a chariot competition.
No one could compare in speed with the horses of Ares, and all losers were overtaken by death at the hand of the king.
Pelops (the name of the Peloponnese peninsula comes from his name) turned out to be the most cunning, he persuaded the driver and he replaced one of the chariot axles with a wax one. During the race it melted and Oenomaus died.
Pelops received the girl and the kingdom.
The sculptural composition of the eastern pediment is devoid of violent movement, all images are static and more isolated from each other.
Two groups of courageous figures, perfectly in harmony with the rhythm of powerful Doric columns, are symmetrically located relative to the central image of the supreme god Zeus.
Such a noticeable difference in the dynamic solution of the compositions of the two pediments led historians to believe that they were made by different masters.
The sculptural compositions of both pediments show us two different approaches by artists of the 5th century BC. e. to an attempt to create a universal monumental image.
It is worth adding that these magnificent works art, like many ancient greek sculptures, were polychrome.
The surviving fragments are in the Archaeological Museum of Olympia.
They are fixed in such a way as to recreate as accurately as possible their real position, as it was on the pediment of the ancient temple.
Metopes
Along its entire length, the upper part of the ancient temple above the columns is decorated with a frieze consisting of alternating stone slabs and triglyphs (three parallel lines).
Such stone slabs are called metopes, they were often decorated with reliefs.
Most of the surviving images from the sanctuary of Zeus are kept in the Louvre, and only a few are in the Olympia Museum.
The twelve metopes of the temple depict the labors of Hercules.
The choice of plot is due to the fact that in the minds of the Hellenes, the image of this hero personified the fight against the dark forces of chaos surrounding them and symbolized the victory of the rational human mind over the mythical forces of evil, for which the ancient Greeks did not yet have an explanation.
This theme served as a continuation of the heroic pathos set by the sculptural compositions on the pediments and prepared for the contemplation of the statue of the supreme deity.
The metopes were located in accordance with the movement of pilgrims around the temple.
The first feat: the battle with the Nemean Lion, was depicted on the metope in the left western corner, and the last feat, the cleaning of the Augean stables, was dedicated to the metope in the right corner of the eastern side.
The height of the metopes is 1.6 m, width 1.5 m.
Some of their elongation in height is consistent with the general plan of the architect, who sought to give the temple maximum majesty.
In the relatively small space of the metope, the artist managed to fill the sculptures with the dynamics of authentic life, while maintaining their harmony with a clear architectural form.
The Temple of Zeus at Olympia is one of the most significant ancient Greek architectural monuments.
Here, for the first time, the principle of synthesis of architecture and sculpture was most fully embodied, which later became classical and is still considered unsurpassed.
The statue of Zeus at Olympia is the only one of the 7 wonders of the world located in Europe. Today, an archaeological museum has been created on the territory where the Temple of Olympian Zeus was located.
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Temple of Zeus, Olympia (Sarah Murray) Ruins of the Temple of Zeus, Olympia (Roy L) Temple of Zeus at Olympia (Ronny Siegel) Ruins of the Temple of Zeus at Olympia (DAVID HOLT) Pillars of the Temple of Zeus that fell after an earthquake in the 5th century (Davida De La Harpe) Temple of Zeus (Sarah Murray) Sarah Murray Inside the Museum (Sarah Murray) Inside the Museum (Sarah Murray) Davida De La Harpe Institute for the Study of the Ancient World Sarah Murray
Olympia is a small Greek town, or rather even a village, located on the Peloponnesian Peninsula, 150 km away. west of Athens. This is a kind of service center for the archaeological site and museum complexes. A couple of centuries ago, Olympia was the main religious and cultural center of Hellas. The modern city is not very attractive, but its history and archaeological sites attract thousands of tourists every year.
Ancient Hellas is the cradle of European civilization. Science, democracy, culture and the arts were born here. It was here, on the Peloponnesian Peninsula in Olympia, that the fourth wonder of the world was once located - the statue of Olympian Zeus. The approximate date of creation of the “miracle” is the 5th century. BC. The author is the greatest sculptor ancient world Phidias.
Olympia in the Hellenic era was in many ways inferior to the greatness of Athens, but it was precisely it that was the center of the religious life of Hellas and the birthplace of ancient games. Olympic Games, which had centuries-old history, were invariably dedicated to the supreme god of Olympus - Zeus.
In 410 BC. The “experience” of the Olympic competitions held in honor of Zeus has already passed the three-hundred-year mark, and throughout Attica not a single significant temple has yet been erected where honors were offered to the main deity of Hellas. In order to avoid the wrath of the heavenly ruler, a collection of donations was announced for the construction of the sanctuary.
The role Zeus played in Olympia is evidenced by the fact that the Olympians did not skimp on their beloved god: built in as soon as possible The temple impressed with its grandeur and wealth. During its construction, the most expensive materials were used - marble and shell rock.
The dimensions of the structure matched the greatness of Zeus: total area The temple area was 1728 sq. m., the height reached 10.6 m. The author of the project was the architect Libon.
The best craftsmen of the era worked on the decoration and interior decoration of the sanctuary: the outer walls were decorated with bas-reliefs depicting the 12 labors of Hercules, the interior was decorated with mosaics and abounded in gold.
Temple of Zeus at Olympia (Ronny Siegel)
Temple of Zeus at Olympia: the making of a shrine
The Temple of Zeus at Olympia was one of the most significant shrines of ancient Hellas.
The structure was erected in 471 - 456. BC. and dedicated to the victory over the Persians, during which considerable trophies were obtained. It was they who went to build the temple. Ordinary citizens of Olympia also took part in the construction of the sanctuary to their beloved deity, donating their personal funds.
Ruins of the Temple of Zeus, Olympia (Sarah Murray)
The author of the project is the Eleanian architect Libon. The building, according to a number of historians, belongs to the Early Classical temples of the Doric style. It was the largest Doric structure in the entire Peloponnese, and it is this that is the classic image of the Pan-Greek style.
The temple was a structure of 6 columns arranged in width and 13 along the length of the base.
The main building materials were marble and shell rock. The structure reached 22 m in height, and at the base it was a regular rectangle 27x64 m.
The pediments of the temple were decorated with group sculptural compositions. Thus, the entrance to the sanctuary - the cella - was decorated with friezes with metopes depicting the 12 labors of the beloved Greek hero - Hercules.
Temple of Zeus (Sarah Murray)
The western part was dedicated to the battle of the Lapiths with the centaurs (the author was the Athenian sculptor Alkamen), the eastern part narrated the preparation for the chariot competitions of Pelops, from which the name of the Peloponnese peninsula came, and Oenomaus (the author was the Maeid master Paeonius).
However, first of all, the Temple of Olympian Zeus was famous not for its architectural appearance, but for its “ruler” - the statue of the Thunder God, the work of the famous Athenian master Phidias. The sculpture is also called the Seventh Wonder of the Ancient World.
The history of the sanctuary was short. In 406 AD it was destroyed by order of the Byzantine ruler Theodosius II, who fought against pagan cults. And in 522 and 551, during strong earthquakes, the Temple of Zeus at Olympia was completely lost.
Statue of Olympian Zeus: author of the sculpture
The temple for Zeus in Olympia was built in ten years, but not during its construction, nor a few years later, it never found its “owner” - the Greeks took a long time to determine the master worthy of embodying the image of the god in a statue.
In the end, the choice fell on Phidias, a famous creator from Athens, who embodied almost the entire pantheon of gods in stone, including the famous Athena Parthenos for the Parthenon.
Statue of Jupiter - the ancient Roman god of thunder. Hermitage Museum,
Saint Petersburg
Phidias approached the matter in detail - he demanded to build a workshop near the sanctuary, which was similar in size to the temple, he demanded the best samples of ivory and 200 kg. gold.
He was helped in his work by his student Kolot and brother Panen, summoned from Athens. The sculpture of the supreme god, like most of the master’s works, was executed in the chrysoelephantine technique - it was based on a wooden frame, which was covered with the thinnest plates of elephant bone and gold.
All work was carried out in the strictest secrecy. The sculptor hid the statue of Zeus from prying eyes behind a curtain, which is why ordinary people decided that the god himself was coming down to pose for the master.
The result was stunning. The Olympian ruler, seated on a throne, appeared before the audience. He was dressed in golden clothes, his hands held a scepter with an eagle and a symbol of victory - the winged goddess Nike. The forehead was crowned with a crown of golden olive leaves. The base of the throne was decorated with images of gods and mythological scenes.
The height of the sculptural composition was, according to various sources, from 12 to 17 m. Everyone entering the sanctuary had the impression that Zeus, if he wanted to get up, could tear down the roof of the temple.
For an additional effect of the animation of the statue, Phidias ordered a pool of water, covered with a thin film of oil, to be placed at the feet of Zeus. The glare of light reflected from the oily water illuminated the giant's head and shoulders with a glow. As a result of an optical illusion, people believed that God's grace emanated from the monument.
So the statue of Zeus in Olympia became a place of pilgrimage - everyone wanted to see the god with their own eyes.
The fate of a masterpiece
The statue of Zeus at Olympia was opened to the public in 435 BC, but the monument has not survived to this day. The sculptural composition was destroyed several times.
View of the ruins of the Temple of Zeus, Olympia (Roy L)
The first serious damage occurred during an earthquake that occurred in the 2nd century. BC. The restoration was entrusted to the sculptor Dimophon of Messenes.
Due to the fact that the sculpture was made using the chrysoelephantine technique, it was possible to quickly put it in order by replacing several damaged plates.
There is information that the further integrity of the masterpiece was threatened by the whim of the Roman emperor Caligula, who wanted to plant the face of one of the Roman deities on the shoulders of a Greek god, and thus trample on the religious feelings of the oppressed people.
There is also information that the monument to Zeus in Olympia was significantly damaged during civil unrest in the 2nd century. AD
Study of the Ancient World
The final destruction of the monument began in 391 AD. The Romans, who established Christianity as the official religion, hastened to close all the bastions of paganism in the Greek territory under their control.
All the gold parts were removed from the statue of Zeus, and it itself was gradually destroyed. The latest information about the statue dates back to the 5th century.
According to a number of sources, the sculpture of Zeus was transported from Olympia to Constantinople, where it was lost during a fire. According to another version, the statue remained on Greek soil and burned down along with the temple.
The fate of Phidias - the author of the statue of Olympian Zeus
The fate of the master who gave the world one of the wonders of the world was also deplorable. According to some information, Phidias never returned to Athens.
He was accused of embezzling gold intended for a statue of Zeus. However, the master quickly proved his innocence by removing all the gold elements from the sculpture and weighing them. Soon he was again accused, this time of disrespect for the gods, including the supreme Olympian god Zeus, and thrown into prison.
There is also a version that Phidias, 6-7 years after the construction of the statue, was forgotten by society, eked out a miserable existence and died far from his native Athens.
Modernity: Archaeological Museum
The statue of Zeus at Olympia is the only one of the Seven Wonders of the World located on the European mainland. Until the end of the 19th century. the existence of the sculpture was known only from the descriptions of ancient Greek historians.
Scientists from all over the world have been trying for a long time to find material evidence of the existence of a man-made miracle, and only in 1857 were the remains of the sanctuary of the Olympian god found.
Inside the Museum (Sarah Murray)
In 1954 - 1958 Not far from the temple, archaeological excavations resumed, as a result of which it was possible to discover the workshop of an Athenian master and his tools with which he processed ivory and gold.
A bowl with the inscription “I belong to Phidias” was also found here.
Today, on the territory where the statue of Olympian Zeus once sat, there is an archaeological museum. It contains rare exhibits that were once in the temple - 3-meter figures from the pediments of the temple, mosaic elements, parts of sculptures of other deities, surviving works of Phidias, etc.
The museum also displays an artistic canvas depicting a statue of the Thunderer, a lost wonder of the world. The painting is a kind of creative reconstruction of the sculpture, which was based on descriptions of ancient Greek historians and the statue of Zeus itself in Olympia - a small marble copy of the work of an unknown author of the 1st century. AD, located in the Hermitage.
The three-meter marble Olympian Zeus was found during archaeological excavations in Rome and sold at the end of the 19th century. a ruined Italian collector to a Russian museum. Many scientists suggest that the copy of the lost wonder of the world very accurately reproduces the original.