Zeús through the eyes of sculptors, painters, and craftsmen across the ages
Zeus of Otricoli — Roman copy, Vatican Museums. The king of gods in mature majesty, beard curled, brow thunderous.
Artemision Bronze — c. 460 BCE. Zeus or Poseidon? The arm is raised to throw — thunderbolt or trident?
Zeus and Ganymede — Terracotta group from Olympia, c. 480–470 BCE. The eagle-god seizes the Trojan prince. The Metropolitan Museum, New York (on loan, L.1999.10.14). Public domain via Wikimedia Commons.
Zeus — National Archaeological Museum, Athens. The thunderer at rest, but never relaxed.
Jupiter of Smyrna — Louvre Museum. The Roman Zeus: same power, different name, equally terrible.
