Little is known about the famous
Greek sculptor Phidias. People
have discovered lots of things
about Phidias's works, but not much
about his life. Tons of things about
Phidias still remain a mystery to the
world. Though we do know some
basics.
Phidias lived from about 490 B.C.E-430 B.C.E. Phidias was the son of Charmides and grew up during the Persian war. It is believed that Phidias studied with Ageladas, a very recognized Greek sculptor who also taught Myron and Polykleitos. He also may have studied with Hegias, a sculptor, or Polygnotus, a painter. Phidias was put in charge of all public art in Athens by Pericles in 447 B.C.E. Not much is known about Phidias's family. Phidias did have a son named Archimedes, but with whom is unknown.
Nobody really knows how Phidias died. Though there are many theories. One common theory is that Phidias was targeted by a group of political enemies of Pericles. These people may have thought that a good way to hurt Pericles's image was to get his friend, Phidias, imprisoned. Supposedly, the people accused Phidias of stealing some of the gold meant for the Athena Parthenos. Phidias then proved his innocence by adding up the weight of the gold on the statue and comparing it with the amount he started with. After that, the political enemies accused him of including an image of himself and Pericles on the Athena Parthenos's shield. Supposedly, Phidias was then imprisoned and died before the trial. Another, more likely theory, is that Phidias was exiled to Elis where he stayed for the rest of his life. But again, no one really knows.