Slabs from the Amazon frieze 13

myminifactory

The most well-preserved of the three friezes from the Mausoleum depicts Herakles and Theseus' expedition to Themiskyra and their subsequent battle with the Amazons. This theme was a common one in Greek art, but it held special significance for Maussollos. According to Karian tradition, an axe belonging to Amazon queen Hippolyte was kept at Labraunda, the ancestral shrine of the Hekatomnid dynasty. In one frieze slab (Sculpture 1008), Hippolyte is shown locked in combat with Herakles. This pivotal scene may have held a prominent position on the monument, possibly at the centre of the east side. The frieze was situated atop the podium of the building. A corner block discovered in the Castle of St. Peter at Bodrum reveals that the frieze converged at the corners and probably encircled all four sides of the Mausoleum. The frieze boasted vibrant colours, with a blue background and figures painted deep red, sometimes accented with gilding. Metal was used to add details such as weapons, reins, and bridles, depending on the preference of the sculptor involved.