Slab from the Amazon frieze 8

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This, the most well-preserved of three friezes from the Mausoleum, depicts the expedition by Herakles and Theseus to Themiskyra, with the subsequent battle against the Amazons unfolding dramatically. This theme was a staple in Greek art, yet held special significance for Maussollos. According to Karian tradition, an axe owned by Amazon queen Hippolyte was housed at Labraunda, the ancestral sanctuary of the Hekatomnid dynasty. In combat with Herakles on one frieze slab, Hippolyte is showcased in a pivotal scene that may have held a prominent position on the monument, perhaps at its center on the east side. The frieze itself was situated atop the podium of the building. A corner block discovered in the Castle of St. Peter at Bodrum reveals that the frieze met at corners and likely encircled all four sides of the Mausoleum. Richly coloured, the background was painted blue, while flesh tones were rendered deep red, sometimes augmented with gilding. Metal accents added shine to weapons, reins, and bridles, reflecting the personal preference of individual sculptors.