A Catalogue of Sculpture in the Department of Greek and Roman Antiquities, British Museum, Volume 1 (of 2)

by A. H. Smith

527. The Centaur of this slab bites a Lapith in the neck. The Lapith is about to fall with relaxed limbs, but plunges his sword in the Centaur's body. At the same time the Centaur kicks out with his hind legs at a Lapith on the left, who holds out his shield as a defence. A dead Centaur lies on the ground. Both Centaurs have lions' skins. The Lapiths wore metal sword belts.

Length, 4 feet 1 inch. Synopsis, No. 2; Mus. Marbles, IV., pl. 2 Stackelberg, pl. 21; Brunn, Denkmaeler, No. 91.

528. A Centaur has been thrown down by two Lapiths. The one drags forward the Centaur by his hair, while the other kneels on his back, and has his hand and sword raised to strike. A Centaur, however, has come from behind and arrests the Lapith's blow, and tries to draw away his shield. The fallen Centaur feebly puts out his right hand behind his back to meet the stroke.

Length, 4 feet 1 inch. Synopsis, No. 1; Mus. Marbles, IV., pl. 1; Stackelberg, pl. 22.

Phigaleian Frieze, North Side.

529. On the left a Lapith and Centaur are wrestling. The Lapith holds the Centaur's head under his left arm, and the Centaur seizes the thigh of the Lapith, and tries to overthrow him, putting his right foreleg round the leg of the Lapith. The Centaur wears a lion's skin. On the right the Lapith has seized the Centaur by the hair, and is about to strike. The Centaur is helpless and can only stretch out his hands behind his back as a defence.

Length, 4 feet 4½ inches. Synopsis, No. 9; Mus. Marbles, IV., pl. 9; Stackelberg, pl. 24.

530. Two Centaurs heave a mighty stone to crush the invulnerable Kaineus. Kaineus is half-buried and holds his shield above his head. He probably held a sword in the right hand. Both Centaurs wear lions' skins. The same subject occurs on the frieze of the Theseion. Next on the right is a Lapith armed with shield and helmet, who seems to be dragging the Centaur by the hair. A woman moves to the right, holding her floating mantle with her right hand.

Length, 5 feet 3½ inches. Synopsis, No. 4; Mus. Marbles, IV., pl. 4; Stackelberg, pl. 26; Brunn, Denkmaeler, No. 90.