***The Statue of Zeus at Olympia, erected in 435 BC and 12 metres (40 feet) tall. It was dismantled by Christian rulers in the 5th or 6th centuries to discourage paganism. ***
Now wait a minute. According to a program on thei Discovery or History channel it was dismantled on the orders of Caligula to be moved to Rome. After Caligula’s death most of the statue was stored in another temple which was then destroyed by fire. Christians were NOT involved with it’s destruction.
Apparently the author got his info from Wikiepdia.