Part 56 (1/2)

Kaineus is half-buried and holds his s.h.i.+eld above his head. He probably held a sword in the right hand. Both Centaurs wear lions'

skins. The same subject occurs on the frieze of the Theseion. Next on the right is a Lapith armed with s.h.i.+eld and helmet, who seems to be dragging the Centaur by the hair. A woman moves to the right, holding her floating mantle with her right hand.

Length, 5 feet 3-1/2 inches. _Synopsis_, No. 4; _Mus. Marbles_, IV., pl. 4; Stackelberg, pl. 26; Brunn, _Denkmaeler_, No. 90.

[Sidenote: =531.=]

The remaining slab on this side contains a part of the battle of Greeks and Amazons. As the Amazon slabs are longer than the slabs of Centaurs by about 10 feet, it is clear that they must have filled two sides and a part of a third. (See above, p. 278.)

On the left a Greek and an Amazon are engaged in combat. The Greek has a helmet, boots, and a chiton which leaves the right shoulder bare. He advances his left arm with the mantle hanging from it, in the manner of Harmodios in the group of the Athenian Tyrannicides (compare the Panathenaic vase in the Fourth Vase Room, which has this group on the s.h.i.+eld of Athene). The Amazon wears a similar chiton, and rushes forward against the Greek, in the att.i.tude of the Aristogeiton in the group mentioned above. On the right a wounded Amazon has sunk to the ground, and is supported by a companion who wears the chiton split at the side (_schistos_), like that of the Iris of the east pediment of the Parthenon.

Length, 4 feet 6-1/2 inches; _Synopsis_, No. 20; _Mus. Marbles_, IV., pl. 20; Stackelberg, pl. 17.

PHIGALEIAN FRIEZE, EAST SIDE.

[Sidenote: =532.=]

On the left of the slab a Greek tries to drag an Amazon along by the hair. She is now unarmed, and tries to resist with both hands and with the weight of her body. Her s.h.i.+eld is seen in the background. On the right an Amazon who has sunk to the ground, but appears not to be badly wounded, is defended by a companion who stands beside her, and stretches out a large s.h.i.+eld.

Length, 4 feet 6-3/4 inches. _Synopsis_, No. 12; _Mus. Marbles_, IV., pl. 12; Stackelberg, pl. 7.

[Sidenote: =533.=]

On the left a Greek makes a fierce attack on an enemy represented in the adjoining slab, which was probably the one just described. He has his sword arm raised above his head for a strong blow.

In the centre is a vigorous combat between a Greek and Amazon. The Greek covers himself with his s.h.i.+eld and draws back for a spear thrust. The action of the Amazon appears to be that of thrusting a spear. The s.h.i.+eld on her left arm is not expressed. In the tightly stretched skirt of the chiton the sculptor has sacrificed grace for truth to nature and vivid movement. On the right, an Amazon who has just received a mortal wound, is seen falling to the ground, with all her limbs relaxed.

Length, 4 feet 5-3/4 inches. _Synopsis_, No. 13; _Mus. Marbles_, IV., pl. 13; Stackelberg, pl. 8; Brunn, _Denkmaeler_, No. 88.

[Sidenote: =534.=]

On the left a Greek drags down an Amazon from her horse, grasping her hair with the left hand. He probably held a sword in the right hand.

The Amazon tries feebly to loosen his grasp. She wears the split chiton, like the Amazon of slab No. 531. On the right is an Amazon, who draws back a little, extending her s.h.i.+eld, and at the same time raising her right hand to strike. Here, as in No. 533, the drapery is tightly stretched. The upper part of the figure of the Greek had been lost when the marbles were being transported from the temple. It was afterwards found in a house near Ba.s.sae, and was _presented by J.

Spencer Stanhope, Esq., 1816._ (Cf. Stackelberg, p. 23.)

Length, 4 feet 4-3/4 inches. _Synopsis_, No. 17; _Mus. Marbles_, IV., pl. 17; Stackelberg, pl. 13; Brunn, _Denkmaeler_, No. 87.

[Sidenote: =535.=]

An unarmed Amazon has taken refuge at an altar; a Greek has seized her by the hair, and tries to drag her away. The Amazon resists using her weight, and both arms. The Greek had a sword in his right hand.

On the right a Greek and Amazon are engaged in hand to hand combat, extending their s.h.i.+elds and engaged in fence with their swords. The drapery of the Amazon is treated as on the two last slabs.

Length, 4 feet 6-3/4 inches. _Synopsis_, No. 22; _Mus. Marbles_, IV., pl. 22; Stackelberg, pl. 16; Brunn, _Denkmaeler_, No. 86.

[Sidenote: =536.=]

A large part of the group on the left is wanting. The Greek appears to be dragging the fallen Amazon by the hair, and at the same time to be treading her down with his right foot. With both hands she tries to free herself from the grasp of the Greek. On the right, a Greek has fallen on his knees and holds up his s.h.i.+eld as a defence against the victorious Amazon, whose right hand and sword are raised to strike.