<P> Phidias is considered the greatest sculptor of this era . He created colossal gold - plated marble statues ("chryselephantine statues"), generally face and hands, which were highly celebrated and admired in his own time: Athena, situated in the interior of the Parthenon, whose splendor reached the faithful through the open doors, and Zeus in the Sanctuary of Olympia, considered in its age and in later ages to be one of the marvels of the world . The Athenians were assured that after they had contemplated this statue it was impossible to feel unlucky ever again . </P> <P> According to Pliny the Elder's Natural History, in order to conserve the marble of these sculptures, oil receptacles were placed in the temples so that the ivory would not crack . </P> <P> The other great sculptors of this century were Myron and Polycletus . </P> <P> During this age, the production of ceramic pieces was abundant . Amphorae were produced in mass quantity due to the heavy trading with other cities all around the Mediterranean . Large evidence of amphorae from this era can be found around every major ancient port as well as in the Aegean sea . During this period is also seen an abundance of white background ceramics which are much more delicate than the previously popular yellow and black background ceramics . These ceramics were often used to keep perfume or for mortuary rites, including decorations on graves . It is also known that there were many great painters, but their works are lost, both frescos and free - standing paintings . </P>

What happened in the golden age of athens