Phidias (spelled also Pheidias), was one of the greatest sculptors of ancient Greece. He was famed also as an architect and painter, was born in Attica. No original in existence can be attributed to him with certainty, although numerous Roman copies in varying degrees of supposed fidelity exist. However, the estimates of ancient writers, their descriptions of his statues, and his influence on all later sculpture have secured his fame.

His greatest achievements were the Athena Parthenos at Athens and the Zeus in the temple of Olympia, both colossal figures of chryselephantine workmanship (draperies of beaten gold, flesh parts incrusted with ivory).

The Athena (dedicated in the Parthenon c. 447-439 B.C.) was the chief treasure of Athens. It was destroyed in antiquity, but several copies are preserved (National Mus. of Antiquities, Athens). It was also represented on coins and gems. The Zeus (c. 435 B.C.), counted as one of the Seven Wonders of the World, was a majestic bearded figure seated upon a magnificently ornamented throne and wearing a mantle strewn with sculptured decorations

Terra-cotta molds, found in 1955-56 at Olympia on the site identified as Phidias' workshop, showed that the gold for the drapery had been hammered into the molds and then further decorated with glass inlays.

The events of Phidias's closing years are much disputed. He was accused by the enemies of Pericles of embezzling the gold appropriated for the statue of Athena and died in prison or, according to another account, was banished. Another version relates that he was aquitted of the charge of embezzlement but was condemned for impiety for introducing his portrait and that of Pericles on the shield of the goddess Athena.

His colossal statue of Zeus, father of the gods, at Olympia was considered his masterpiece.

Phidias inscribed on the finger of the god, kalos Pantarkes ("Pantarkes is beautiful"). It was not Zeus that was beautiful in his eyes, but the man he loved. (Clement of Alexandria)

Pantarkes, a youth of Elis that Phidias loved, was also portrayed at the foot of the Olympian Zeus. They were proud to avow their attachment. (Pausanias v. II)