The statue was excavated at Olympia in 1875–76 and originally stood near the temple of Zeus on a triangular 6-metre high pillar. Including the pillar, the statue stood at 12 metres. It has the inscription "The Messenians and the Naupaktians dedicated this statue to Zeus Olympios from the spoils of the wars. Paionios of Mende made it, who also won the competition to make the acroteria of the temple". That indicates the statue was installed to honour the recapture of Sphacteria from the Spartans in 425 BC.