Slab from the Amazon frieze 11

myminifactory

The most intact of three friezes from the Mausoleum reveals an epic expedition by Herakles and Theseus to Themiskyra, culminating in a fierce battle with the Amazons. This timeless theme was a staple in Greek art, but it held special significance for Maussollos. As per Karian tradition, the Amazon queen Hippolyte's axe was kept at Labraunda, the ancestral sanctuary of the Hekatomnid dynasty. On one frieze slab, Hippolyte is depicted locked in combat with Herakles. This pivotal scene likely occupied a prominent spot on the monument, possibly situated at the center of the east side. The frieze rested atop the podium of the structure. A corner block unearthed in the Castle of St. Peter at Bodrum demonstrates that the frieze converged at the corners and probably encircled all four sides of the Mausoleum. The frieze was a masterpiece of color, with the background painted a deep blue and the figures' skin rendered a vibrant red, occasionally adorned with gilding. Metal accents added to weapons, reins, and bridles were a personal preference of individual sculptors.