Perhaps the most celebrated feature of the temple of Zeus in the heart of the sanctuary was the great gold-and-ivory statue of Zeus, created by the master sculptor Phidias around 435 BC, shortly after the temple’s completion.

This colossal chryselephantine statue —meaning it was constructed with gold and ivory plates over a wooden framework— represented the pinnacle of ancient Greek sculptural achievement. 

Nearly twelve metres high, the seated figure of Zeus held in his right hand the goddess of Victory, Nike, and in his left a sceptre topped with an eagle, all while mounted on an elaborate throne decorated with precious materials, mythological scenes, and intricate carvings.

Phidias and his craftsmen worked with gold, ivory, glass, and semi-precious stones in the adjacent south wing. Remarkable finds from excavations include clay matrices for the statue’s drapery, ivory fragments, goldsmith’s tools, and a small cup inscribed “I belong to Phidias.“

After its completion, the statue was dismantled and transported in parts inside the temple. It was then reassembled and erected in its final position, at the back of the cella, where it remained for many centuries.. 

Ancient writers described visitors being moved to tears by the statue’s sublime beauty and majesty—the geographer Strabo wrote that if Zeus were to stand, he would break through the temple’s roof.

The statue required constant maintenance; records mention workers who regularly polished and oiled the ivory to prevent cracking in Olympia’s humid climate. A rectangular pool of olive oil was kept in front of the statue to provide moisture and create shimmering reflections.

The statue’s presence turned the temple into much more than a building—it became a symbol of divine majesty, human artistry, and the very spirit of Olympia.