321. In this metope, the 32nd of the original series, the Centaur has seized the Lapith by the back of his head with his left hand, of which a fragment is still visible. His right arm has been drawn back to deal a blow, probably with a spear. The left foreleg passes round the loins of the Lapith, while the other foreleg has been locked round his right thigh. His adversary, firmly planted on the ground with his right leg advanced, has drawn back his left arm to prepare a blow, probably with a sword. The action of his right shoulder shows that he has seized the Centaur by the hair with his right hand. A drawing by Feodor, one of the artists employed by Lord Elgin at Athens, shows that the left arm and left leg of the Lapith, now wanting, were then perfect, and that he may have worn a bronze helmet up to the date when the drawing was made. The direction of the missing portions of the left arm and leg is indicated by projections on the ground of the relief. The right arm was wanting from the elbow. In Carrey's drawing, all the right arm of the Centaur is given; but his legs were mutilated.
Mus. Marbles, VII., pl. 14; Michaelis, pl. 4, xxxii.; Stereoscopic, No. 95.
Of the thirty-two metopes which originally adorned the north side of the Parthenon, only twelve (i.-iii. and xxiv.-xxxii. of Michaelis, pl. 4) remain in their original position, and three of these (ii., xxvi., xxx.) are so defaced that their subjects cannot be made out. In the explosion of 1687, twenty metopes (iv.-xxiii.) were destroyed, all but a few fragments. The subjects of the metopes which have perished may have been the combats of Centaurs and Lapiths. Michaelis supposes xxiv., xxv. to represent a scene from the taking of Troy.
322. The only metope from the north side, of which a cast is exhibited in the British Museum, is the last of the series, at the north-west angle of the temple. It represents a draped female figure seated on a rock, towards whom advances from the left another draped female figure, extending forward her left hand muffled in drapery. Both figures wear talaric chitons, over which fall diploïdia and mantles. The figure advancing wears sandals. The folds of the drapery are very rich and abundant. There is a careful drawing of this metope by Feodor in the British Museum, taken when it was in a considerably better state.
Michaelis, pl. 4, xxxii.; Stereoscopic, No. 96.
On the western front of the Parthenon all the fourteen metopes, except vi. and vii., remain in position on the temple, but their surface has been so much injured, that their subjects cannot be made out. The best preserved of these metopes appear to represent a battle of Greeks against Amazons.
323. This is a cast from the first of the metopes of the west side, and represents a figure mounted on a horse, moving to the right, with the right hand drawn back as if aiming a spear, and having a chlamys flying behind. If the metopes on this front represented an Amazonomachia, this figure may be an Amazon. The surface is much damaged. A drawing by Pars in the British Museum makes this a male figure.
Michaelis, pl. 5, West side, i.; Stereoscopic, No. 80.
The corresponding metopes on the east side of the Parthenon remain on the building, but have all suffered great injury. They appear to have represented scenes from the war of the gods and giants.
Michaelis, pl. 5, East side, i.-xiv.