1. parthenon Metope 29
The 29th metope of the South side of the Parthenon, on the Acropolis in Athens

2. Facts Marble Parthenon South Metope 447-432BC (high classical)
1.35m tall
Part of the Centauromachy Metope

3. The Story The Lapiths were an ancient greek tribe
They lived by the forest
There were centaurs in the forest
There was a Lapith wedding, they invited the centaurs

4. The story, cont. The centaurs had never had wine They got hammered
So they abducted the lapith women
And raped them all
The men tried to stop them

5. What does it mean?
The story shows how violent and ruthless and uncivilised the centaurs were- effectively abusing the Lapith’s Xenia
This shows civilisation vs. savages- a common theme in greek mythology
The lapiths win- thus civilisation > savagery

6. ANalysis

7. Attention drawn to the right hand side- leading onto next metope
Ugly centaur
Detailed horse
Human bit is not heroic at all

8. drapery Illusionary transparency Left breast exposed- partial nudity
Modelling line
Motion lines

10. Position on the temple 14m up in the air
The metopes were separated by triglyphs
You wouldn’t see what was going on
Be looking up at it from a distance
It could have been terrible and no one would have cared
The detail and effort put into it shows how much the Athenians valued religion, art and architecture, and how they liked to show off