Phidias

Chief designer of the Parthenon sculptures and creator of the Statue of Zeus at Olympia.

Life

Close friend of Pericles

Phidias was an Athenian sculptor and a close friend of Pericles. When Pericles rebuilt the Acropolis of Athens, he commissioned Phidias to direct the sculptural decoration of the Parthenon.

Parthenon

He created the gold-and-ivory statue of Athena enshrined in the Parthenon and directed the design of the temple's frieze and pediment sculptures. He then completed at Olympia the gold-and-ivory seated Statue of Zeus, about 12 meters high, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

Statue of Zeus

According to ancient accounts, his political rivals accused him of embezzling gold meant for the statue, and he may have died in prison or in exile.

Legacy

Phidias is regarded as the greatest sculptor of ancient Greece, and the sculptures of the Parthenon represent the pinnacle of classical art.

Did you know? Archaeologists excavated his workshop at Olympia, and on the bottom of one clay cup is inscribed "I belong to Phidias."

Key dates

• 447 BCEOversaw the sculptures of the Parthenon (approx.)
• 438 BCECompleted the statue of Athena
• 435 BCECompleted the Statue of Zeus at Olympia (approx.)
• 430 BCEDied (approx.)