One of the first celebrated works of the fifth century that we can define as the classical style is the very famous "Disk Thrower" statue by Myron. Almost all of the famous classical and Hellenistic statues that survive today are marble Roman copies from the original bronze sculptures. Myron's Disk-Thrower (Discobolos) is no exeption. It was so famous in ancient Greece and Italy that many copies were and have been made over the ages. Myron achieved the fame of this statue by representing a frozen moment in time through the twisting balanced movement, and in the way he rendered the realism of the anatomy and the thrust of the figure's weight in an expressive split second of time that has stood for over two millennia.

A Karyatid statue made under the direction of Phidias. 420 - 413 BC from the Erectheion on the Acropolis in Athens.

Phidias was another major sculptor of the early classical period. He was responsible for the amazing marble decorations of the Parthenon. His sculptures also show a realism that had not been seen before. All of the very famous sculptors at this time enjoyed a degree of celebrity status. Phidias was probably the greatest sculptor/celebrity. He was helped by the powerful political leader Pericles who was rebuilding Athens. Pericles noticed the sculptor's skill and mastery of the medium and made Phidias chief architect, sculptor, painter and designer of the new buildings being erected on the Acropolis, among other public works programs. One of the legendary sculptures by Phidias was his creation of the colossal statue of Athena made of gold and ivory in the temple, as well as the novel, celebrated frieze built behind the columns of the Parthenon, 4 feet high and 523 feet long. The frieze was a vivid illustration of the religious procession that took place in Athens to honor the goddess Athena every four years. It stands as one of the greatest reliefs in the world because of the rhythmic movements and the absence of repeated stiff forms, so often seen on monumental friezes throughout history.

Another one of the developments that really separates the classical style from earlier styles is the quality of "Pathos" that the statues begin to develop. Pathos is the Greek word meaning "suffering" and becomes a major movement in later Hellenistic styles.

Other sculptors worth mentioning included a late classical or pre-Hellenistic flavor, such as Scopas who was one of the sculptors at the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus. His style is marked by deep set eyes and dramatic sweeping gestures.

Hermes with infant Dionysus by Praxiteles 4th cent. BC detail of Hermes head

Praxiteles was another sculptor who worked on the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus. His most famous sculptures are standing gods who achieve a perfection of flesh and grace that established his fame and reputation throughout the ancient world. They are relaxed and polished forms that for the first time in Greek sculpture are wrapped in an atmosphere and feeling that glows from within.

Man scraping himself by Lysippus 4th cent. BC.

Another sculptor that enjoys lasting fame and respect is Lysippus who set new proportions for the human body, he changed the style of sculpture through these new proportions and other sculptors followed his lead. His figures were more slender and lithe with smaller heads and expressive postures that began to break from the ordinary contrapposto. His figures also show a new kind of spontaneity. His most famous sculpture "The scraper" is the statue of a young athlete with messy hair scraping olive oil from his body as was the practice of cleaning oneself at this time.

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