About 3000 years ago, Olympia was an important city in Greece. In this place there is a Statue of Zeus, the king of the ancient Greek gods, in a very large size.
Temple and Statue of Zeus
Around 460 BC, residents of the City of Olympia built a temple for Zeus. This temple was built using large stones surrounded by poles. After the temple was finished, a sculptor named Pheidias was assigned to make a statue of Zeus. Previously, Pheidias had made a statue of Athens.
The Wonder of the World For 800 Years
The statue of Zeus was made like sitting on a throne decorated with precious stones. The height of the statue is about 3 meters. His head almost touched the roof of the temple. It gives an impression if Zeus stands, he will lift the roof of the temple. This statue is made using a wooden frame. Ivory plates are used as the skin. The gold layer is used as his clothes. This magnificent statue becomes a miracle of the world for about 800 years.
The Statue of Zeus Moved
Around 40 BC, the Roman emperor named Caliguna wanted to move the Statue of Zeus to Rome. The workers were sent to move the statue, but it was unsuccessful. Hundreds of years later, this statue of Zeus was brought to Constantinople. This statue was then placed in a palace. However, the Palace burned in 462 AD
Flood at Olympia
The city of Olympia was destroyed. In the 6th century, the Olympia area was shaken by a massive earthquake accompanied by flooding. The flood brought mud that covered most of the city of Olympia. This mud turned out to be useful for preserving objects covered by it. Archaeologists have discovered the ruins of the temple of Zeus. The statue itself has disappeared forever.