Fig. 16.—The disposition of the West Frieze of the Theseion. (From Baumeister).
403. 1. Combat of Centaur and Lapith. The Lapith is defeated and has fallen to the ground. He supports his body with the right arm, of which the hand alone remains. The left hand, which is wrapped in the chlamys, is raised imploringly to the Centaur, to whom also the head is turned. The victorious Centaur rears up above the Lapith, and is about to hurl a great stone, or perhaps a hydria, with both hands.
Height of this and the following slabs, 2 feet 9½ inches; length, 2 feet 10 inches. Mus. Marbles, IX., pl. 18.
Between Nos. 1 and 2 is a group, of which the Museum does not possess a cast, representing two Lapiths and a fallen Centaur.
2. On the left is a group of a Lapith and a Centaur. The combatants have for the moment drawn a little apart. The Lapith has recoiled for a blow; the attention of the Centaur seems more directed to the group on his left. The symmetry of the grouping, which is apparent in the frieze as a whole, requires us to regard these two figures as connected, though they may appear somewhat separated. The Centaur brandishes a branch of a tree, to which his hands are still attached, though the arms are lost. The Lapith had both arms raised, and perhaps held a battle-axe. His dress is a chlamys.
We next have a group of two Centaurs, rearing up, and heaving together a rock wherewith to crush the invulnerable Lapith, Kaineus, who is half buried in the ground between them, and who endeavours to defend himself with his shield uplifted on his left arm. His head is turned towards the Centaur on the right. His right arm, now wanting, may have rested on the ground. But it is possible, to judge from indications on the ground of the relief, that it was bent at the elbow, and pierced with a sword the abdomen of the Centaur. The Lapith wears a helmet.
On the right of this group is a Lapith hastening to give succour to Kaineus. His right arm, which was bent back at the elbow, had been raised to strike. His left arm has been muffled in a chlamys. He also wore a petasos, part of which is seen behind the shoulders. On the right of this figure is a group of a Lapith attacking a Centaur. The Lapith wears a crested helmet; on his left arm is a shield, within which his chlamys hangs from his arm. He also wears sandals. He places his left foot on a rock. The Centaur opposed to him is rearing, with his back turned to the spectator; his right arm, drawn back, has held some weapon, probably the branch of a tree; on his left arm and shoulder is the skin of a lion or panther which hangs down his back.
Length, 10 feet 9 inches. Mus. Marbles, IX., pls. 18, 19.
The next group on the frieze, which is not represented by a cast, contains a Centaur struggling with a Lapith who has fallen on his knees.
3. On the left is a Lapith, armed with shield and helmet, and wearing a chiton and sandals. He seems about to attack a Centaur, who rears to the right over the body of a Lapith, who has sunk down in a sitting position.
Length, 2 feet 9 inches. Mus. Marbles, IX., pl. 20.
Most of the figure of the seated Lapith, and the whole of the succeeding group of a Lapith and Centaur are not represented by casts in the Museum.