Bulfinch’s Mythology · Chapter
The Olympian Jupiter explained
This chapter describes the statue of the Olympian Jupiter by Phidias, a colossal chryselephantine sculpture of the supreme Greek deity seated on a throne, embodying majesty and conquest, inspired by Homer's Iliad.
What happens
This chapter describes the statue of the Olympian Jupiter by Phidias, a colossal chryselephantine sculpture of the supreme Greek deity seated on a throne, embodying majesty and conquest, inspired by Homer's Iliad.
Themes in this chapter
Hubris and Divine Retribution
The statue's depiction of Jupiter as a conqueror ruling with a nod reflects the theme of divine authority and the potential for retribution against hubris.
Characters to notice
- Jupiter
The supreme deity depicted in Phidias's statue, seated on a throne with a sceptre and a statue of Victory.
Key passages
“He spoke and awful bends his sable brows, Shakes his ambrosial curls and gives the nod, The stamp of fate and sanction of the god. High heaven with reverence the dread signal took, And all Olympus to the centre shook.”
Jupiter spoke, and his dark brows lowered; he shook his divine curls and nodded, sealing fate and divine approval. Heaven itself trembled in response, and all of Olympus shook to its core.
This passage from Homer's Iliad inspired Phidias's depiction of Jupiter's majestic and commanding presence.