A Catalogue of Sculpture in the Department of Greek and Roman Antiquities Part 55

Marble; height, 1 foot 3/4 inch; width, 8-1/2 inches. _Synopsis_, No. 34; c.o.c.kerell, _Phigaleia_, pl. 5, Stackelberg, pl. 30, fig.

4; _Exp. de Moree_, II., pl. 23, fig. 4.

THE PHIGALEIAN FRIEZE.

The frieze of the Temple of Apollo Epicurios consists of 23 slabs of marble, somewhat resembling Pentelic. The slabs are each 2 feet 1-1/4 inches high, and they have a combined length of 101 feet 3/4 inch. The frieze formed an internal decoration, above the colonnade within the cella, and had two long sides measuring 35 feet 9 inches, and two short sides measuring 14 feet 2-1/8 inches. The excess in the measured length of the slabs is explained by the fact that they overlapped at the angles. The slabs are about 3-1/2 inches thick, and rested on the edge of the architrave, being fastened with bolts to the ground behind.

The subjects represented are: (1) Battle of Lapiths and Centaurs; (2) Battle of Greeks and Amazons. The former subject has 11 slabs of a combined length of 45 feet 6-3/4 inches, while the latter has 12 slabs measuring 55 feet 6 inches. The Centauromachia, therefore, occupied two sides, less the length of one slab, which contained a part of the Amazonomachia.

Several attempts have been made to fix the probable order of the slabs, but except in certain cases we have no evidence. It is probable that the slabs, No. 541 with Heracles or Theseus, and No. 530 with Centaurs and Kaineus, were in the centres of two short sides. They are longer than any other slabs, and are well fitted to form the central groups in the compositions. Slab No. 540 was certainly a corner slab, as is proved by the rebate. Slab No. 532 was probably a corner slab.

Slabs Nos. 527 and 528 evidently were next to each other, and No. 528 was probably at a corner. Beyond these fixed points, the order can only be determined by considerations of composition. In the description that follows, the slabs are taken in the present order of arrangement in the British Museum, which is that proposed by Mr.

Murray (_Greek Sculpt._ ii. pl. 14) except as regards the position of the slabs of the north side.

The style of the reliefs is somewhat peculiar. Many of the types of combat are familiar in Attic sculpture. Compare the group of Kaineus with the same subject on the frieze of the Theseion, and the Centaur groups with the metopes of the Parthenon. At the same time the style of the work, with its high relief, somewhat florid and coa.r.s.ely executed, is un-Attic, and it seems probable that the actual production of the reliefs was in the hands of local workmen. There is less certainty as to the designer. Among the artists suggested are Alcamenes (Stackelberg, p. 84), Cresilas (Sauer, _Berliner Philol.

Wochenschr._, 1889, p. 583); an artist influenced by the paintings of Polygnotos (Murray, ii., p. 176); an Attic artist (Jahn, _Pop.

Aufsatze_, p. 157), or an Arcadian artist under Attic influences (Overbeck, _Gr. Plast._, 3rd ed., i., p. 457.)

_Literature relating to the Frieze._ Wagner, _Ba.s.sorelievi Antichi della Grecia_. See also works quoted above, and on p. 272. For the proposed arrangements of the slabs of the frieze, see c.o.c.kerell, p. 56; Ivanoff, _Annali dell' Inst._, 1865, p. 29; Lange, _Ber.

der. K. sachs Ges. d. Wissenschaften_, 1880, p. 56, pl. 3; Wolters, Nos. 883-905; _Stereoscopic_, Nos. 119, 120, 122.

PHIGALEIAN FRIEZE, WEST SIDE.

[Sidenote: =520.=]

A Centaur carries away a Lapith woman, who stretches out her arm in appeal for help. The woman's headdress is somewhat peculiar, consisting of a cap (_sphendone_) and a narrow taenia, from under which the hair falls in small curls on the forehead. On the right of the slab an unarmed Lapith struggles with a Centaur, whose equine body is wholly unexpressed except for one leg which hardly seems to belong to him.

Length, 2 feet 5-3/4 inches. _Synopsis_, No. 7; _Mus. Marbles_, IV., pl. 7; Stackelberg, pl. 25.

[Sidenote: =521.=]

On the left of this slab, a Centaur, whose head and lower parts are lost, flings a stone with each hand. The figure is shown to be a Centaur by the lion's skin over the left arm. On the right, a Centaur, who also wears a lion's skin knotted about his neck, treads down an armed Lapith, and grasps his right hand to prevent him striking with his sword. Between the two Centaurs is a Lapith woman, who hastens to her right and holds her mantle about her. The Centaur here and on certain other slabs has a horse's mane, which does not occur on the Centaurs of the Parthenon or of the Theseion.

Length, 4 feet 2-1/2 inches. _Synopsis_, No. 6; _Mus. Marbles_, IV., pl. 6; Stackelberg, pl. 28.

[Sidenote: =522.=]

On the left a Centaur draws towards himself a Lapith woman who tries to escape. She has a child on her left arm. The face of this figure has a strong resemblance to that of the supposed Amazon of Polycleitos, and the drapery of the breast is treated in the same way as that of some of the statues of Amazons. (Compare the fragment at Worlitz, engraved _Jahrbuch des Inst._ i., pl. 4.)

On the right, a Centaur, who has a s.h.i.+eld and lion's skin, tramples down a Lapith, whose hands are stretched out as if to keep the Centaur away. The Lapith is fully armed, having a cuira.s.s above a chiton, a chlamys, and boots. He has no s.h.i.+eld, but perhaps that of the Centaur may be supposed to have been captured from him, as no other Centaur is thus armed on the Phigaleian frieze, the Theseion, or the Parthenon.

Length, 4 feet 1-1/2 inches. _Synopsis_, No. 3; _Mus. Marbles_, IV., pl. 3; Stackelberg, pl. 23.

[Sidenote: =523.=]

Apollo and Artemis coming to the aid of the Lapiths. Artemis drives a chariot drawn by two stags; she wears the chiton, and large diplodion crossed by bands, which is the dress of charioteers on the Parthenon sculptures. Her right foot is on the ground and she appears to be checking the chariot, while Apollo stands at its side and draws his bow. The bow, arrow, and reins were added in bronze. The chariot is represented three-quarters to the front.

Length, 3 feet 9-1/2 inches. _Synopsis_, No. 11; _Mus. Marbles_, IV., pl. 11; Stackelberg, pl. 19.

[Sidenote: =524.=]

Two Lapith women have taken refuge at the statue of a G.o.ddess, probably Artemis, as she is coming to their aid. One of the women stretches out her arms with a gesture of despairing entreaty. The other embraces the statue, which is a stiff archaic image wearing a polos; with her left hand she clings to her mantle which has been seized by the Centaur. The Centaur is attacked from behind by a Lapith who kneels on his back, has his left arm round the Centaur's neck, and is about to strike with the sword originally held in the right hand.

On the right is a tree, with a lion's skin hanging from a bough.

The appearance of a deity near his own image is not infrequent. (Cf.

_Journ. of h.e.l.len. Studies_, ix., pl. 1; Muller, _Denkmaeler_, pl. 44, fig. 206; _Arch. Zeit._, 1869, pl. 14.)

The group of the Lapith and Centaur is composed like the Parthenon metope, No. 305.

Length, 4 feet 6 inches. _Synopsis_, No. 10; _Mus. Marbles_, IV., pl. 10; Stackelberg, pl. 29.

[Sidenote: =525.=]

A Lapith and a Centaur in combat. The Lapith draws away to the left, and is about to throw a stone, while he stretches out his s.h.i.+eld on his left arm. The Centaur rears up, and seems to be throwing a stone held in both hands. The Lapith has only a helmet and small chlamys.

He also wore a metal sword belt. On the right of the slab, a woman holding a boy on her right arm, moves quickly to the left. With her left hand she holds a floating piece of her veil.

Length, 4 feet 5 inches. _Synopsis_, No. 8; _Mus. Marbles_, IV., pl. 8; Stackelberg, pl. 20.

[Sidenote: =526.=]

A Centaur is about to thrust with his sword at a Lapith, who seizes the Centaur's left foreleg and left hand. The Centaur has a lion's skin; the Lapith is unarmed. On the right of this slab another unarmed Lapith has forced the Centaur down on his knees. He kneels on the Centaur's back, and holds his hair with the right hand, and his wrists with the left hand.

Length, 4 feet 2-1/2 inches. _Synopsis_, No. 5; _Mus. Marbles_, IV., pl. 5; Stackelberg, pl. 27.

[Sidenote: =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 s.h.i.+eld 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.

[Sidenote: =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 s.h.i.+eld. 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 FEIEZE, NORTH SIDE.

[Sidenote: =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 4-1/2 inches. _Synopsis_, No. 9; _Mus. Marbles_, IV., pl. 9; Stackelberg, pl. 24.

[Sidenote: =530.=]

Two Centaurs heave a mighty stone to crush the invulnerable Kaineus.