Parthenon South Metope VII

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Marble metope from the Parthenon (South metope VII). The British Museum showcases the South metopes depicting the battle between Centaurs and Lapiths at Peirithoos' marriage-feast. A Lapith, grasping a Centaur with his left hand, has his right arm drawn back to strike. His chlamys falls over his left arm and flies out behind his back. The Centaur rears up, trying to pull away the Lapith's left hand. A small chlamys hangs from the Centaur's shoulders. The Metopes of the Parthenon are 92 marble panels on the outside walls of the Parthenon in Athens, Greece. They form part of the Doric frieze and have different subjects on each side of the building. The pediments, Ionic frieze, and statue of Athena Parthenos complete an elaborate program of sculptural decoration. Fifteen metopes from the south wall were removed and are now in the British Museum as part of the Parthenon Marbles. Others have been destroyed. They are famous examples of Classical Greek high-relief sculptures. The southern wall metopes (Plaques No. 1–12 and 21–32) present the Centauromachy, a battle between Centaurs and Lapiths led by Theseus. The battle broke out during Pirithous' wedding feast. According to one myth, Centaurs attacked after being excluded from the celebrations; another version says drunken Centaurs reacted violently under wine's influence. The Centaurs have animal faces with linear drawings resembling theatrical masks. They wear animal skins and carry tree-branches as weapons. The Lapiths fight nude or in chlamys, holding swords or spears (now lost) or using shields for protection. Some identify Pirithous on metope 11 and Deidamia on metope 25 but there's no conclusive evidence. Metope 29 features the mature Classical style in the face and dress of a Lapith woman. Household utensils like hydrias indicate an indoor battle. Certain compositions are repeated, while overall execution is less ambitious than planned. Contrary to the myth's moral, the Centaurs win this fearless fight, not the Lapiths. In 1687, a cannonball struck the Parthenon during the Venetians' attack on Athens. This event destroyed many metopes on the south wall, especially central ones. Their subject matter is unclear due to uncommon iconographical details. Some experts recognize Attic dynastic myths; others propose a subject related to the Centauromachy heroes.