Phidias or the great Pheidias (circa 480 BCE – 430 BCE) is a Greek sculptor, painter and architect, who lives in the 5th century BCE, and is commonly regarded as one of the greatest of all sculptors of Classical Greece: Phidias' Statue of Zeus at Olympia was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

Phidias also designs the statues of the goddess Athena on the Athenian Acropolis, namely the Athena Parthenos inside the Parthenon and the Athena Promachos, a colossal bronze statue of Athena which stands between it and the Propylaea, a monumental gateway that serves as the entrance to the Acropolis in Athens.

Phidias is the son of a certain Charmides of Athens.

The ancients believed that his masters were Hegias and Hageladas.

Prior to the Peloponnesian war, Phidias was accused of embezzling gold intended for the statue of Athena inside the Parthenon.

Pericles' enemies found a false witness against Phidias, named Menon.

Phidias died in prison.