Parthenon
Title
Parthenon
Date
447-438 BCE
Identifier
5409
Creator
Phidias
Creator Nationality
Greek
Work Type
architectural elements
Work Location
Greece (nation)
Athens (inhabited place)
Style/Period
Classical
Subject
metopes
centaurs
Description
Front view of metope from the Parthenon in Athens, Greece of fight between a Lapith (human) and centaur. "Those on the south flank of the temple included a series featuring human Lapiths in mortal combat with Centaurs. The Centaurs were part-man and part-horse, thus having a civil and a savage side to their nature. The Lapiths, a neighbouring Greek tribe, made the mistake of giving the Centaurs wine at the marriage feast of their king, Peirithoos. The Centaurs attempted to rape the women, with their leader Eurytion trying to carry off the bride. A general battle ensued, with the Lapiths finally victorious ... Here a young Lapith holds a Centaur from behind with one hand, while preparing to deliver a blow with the other. The composition is perfectly balanced, with the protagonists pulling in opposite directions, around a central space filled by the cascading folds of the Lapith's cloak,"--The British Museum.
Measurements
marble
Reproduction Type
jpeg
Copyright Statement
©2013 Lawrence Technological University. These images may be used for personal or educational purposes. They are not available for commercial purposes without the explicit permission of LTU.
ID Number
GPB-GRK2-1154
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