On the left a Greek and an Amazon are engaged in combat. The Greek has
a helmet, boots, and a chiton which leaves the right shoulder bare. He
advances his left arm with the mantle hanging from it, in the manner
of Harmodios in the group of the Athenian Tyrannicides (compare the
Panathenaic vase in the Fourth Vase Room, which has this group on
the shield of Athenè). The Amazon wears a similar chiton, and rushes
forward against the Greek, in the attitude of the Aristogeiton in the
group mentioned above. On the right a wounded Amazon has sunk to the
ground, and is supported by a companion who wears the chiton split at
the side (_schistos_), like that of the Iris of the east pediment of
the Parthenon.
Length, 4 feet 6-1/2 inches; _Synopsis_, No. 20; _Mus. Marbles_,
IV., pl. 20; Stackelberg, pl. 17.
PHIGALEIAN FRIEZE, EAST SIDE.
[Sidenote: =532.=]
On the left of the slab a Greek tries to drag an Amazon along by the
hair. She is now unarmed, and tries to resist with both hands and with
the weight of her body. Her shield is seen in the background. On the
right an Amazon who has sunk to the ground, but appears not to be
badly wounded, is defended by a companion who stands beside her, and
stretches out a large shield.
Length, 4 feet 6-3/4 inches. _Synopsis_, No. 12; _Mus. Marbles_,
IV., pl. 12; Stackelberg, pl. 7.
[Sidenote: =533.=]
On the left a Greek makes a fierce attack on an enemy represented in
the adjoining slab, which was probably the one just described. He has
his sword arm raised above his head for a strong blow.
In the centre is a vigorous combat between a Greek and Amazon. The
Greek covers himself with his shield and draws back for a spear
thrust. The action of the Amazon appears to be that of thrusting a
spear. The shield on her left arm is not expressed. In the tightly
stretched skirt of the chiton the sculptor has sacrificed grace for
truth to nature and vivid movement. On the right, an Amazon who has
just received a mortal wound, is seen falling to the ground, with all
her limbs relaxed.
Length, 4 feet 5-3/4 inches. _Synopsis_, No. 13; _Mus. Marbles_,
IV., pl. 13; Stackelberg, pl. 8; Brunn, _Denkmaeler_, No. 88.
[Sidenote: =534.=]
On the left a Greek drags down an Amazon from her horse, grasping her
hair with the left hand. He probably held a sword in the right hand.
The Amazon tries feebly to loosen his grasp. She wears the split
chiton, like the Amazon of slab No. 531. On the right is an Amazon,
who draws back a little, extending her shield, and at the same time
raising her right hand to strike. Here, as in No. 533, the drapery is
tightly stretched. The upper part of the figure of the Greek had been
lost when the marbles were being transported from the temple. It was
afterwards found in a house near Bassae, and was _presented by J.
Spencer Stanhope, Esq., 1816._ (Cf. Stackelberg, p. 23.)
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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