DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.656#0042
PLATE III.
The principal fragment represented in this Plate is part of
the second metope of the eastern front, reckoning from the
south-east angle of the temple1. This metope was constructed
in two blocks of stone, which were joined together with metal
cramps; the fragment shewn in the Plate formed the lower
block, the size of which is four feet in width by two feet eight
inches in height. The subject represented appears to be that of
a combat between a warrior and a female, whether the latter is'
an amazon or a divinity is not quite certain, as there are un-
fortunately no characteristic emblems or attributes remaining on
the fragment which might lead to a satisfactory discovery of this
figure. The warrior is in a kneeling posture, apparently yield-
ing to the superior force of his adversary. The costume is par-
ticularly interesting; the body appears to be covered with the
close fitting leathern dress, or armour, the " mv»x«j", of pecu-
liar form ; two guards, apparently intended to represent metal,
1 From the very regular manner in which the temple had ("alien, the original situation
of many of the architectural members was easily known. Metope and triglyph were found
in regular order, and nearly under their former positions, whereby, having discovered the
angular triglvph, the exact situation of each metope in the frize was satisfactorily ascer-
tained. It has been a subject of much dispute whether the temples wore overthrown by
the Carthaginians or by the effects of an earthquake; the supposition which we formed on
the spot, was, that both causes must have operated in their destruction. Mr. Wilkins, in
his account of these temples, thus justly observes: " In answer to the objection of the in-
efficacy of human means to effect their overthrow, it may be replied, that the age capable
of furnishing machines for their construction, may be supposed competent to produce others
equally well adapted for their demolition." Wilkins's Magna Groscia.
The principal fragment represented in this Plate is part of
the second metope of the eastern front, reckoning from the
south-east angle of the temple1. This metope was constructed
in two blocks of stone, which were joined together with metal
cramps; the fragment shewn in the Plate formed the lower
block, the size of which is four feet in width by two feet eight
inches in height. The subject represented appears to be that of
a combat between a warrior and a female, whether the latter is'
an amazon or a divinity is not quite certain, as there are un-
fortunately no characteristic emblems or attributes remaining on
the fragment which might lead to a satisfactory discovery of this
figure. The warrior is in a kneeling posture, apparently yield-
ing to the superior force of his adversary. The costume is par-
ticularly interesting; the body appears to be covered with the
close fitting leathern dress, or armour, the " mv»x«j", of pecu-
liar form ; two guards, apparently intended to represent metal,
1 From the very regular manner in which the temple had ("alien, the original situation
of many of the architectural members was easily known. Metope and triglyph were found
in regular order, and nearly under their former positions, whereby, having discovered the
angular triglvph, the exact situation of each metope in the frize was satisfactorily ascer-
tained. It has been a subject of much dispute whether the temples wore overthrown by
the Carthaginians or by the effects of an earthquake; the supposition which we formed on
the spot, was, that both causes must have operated in their destruction. Mr. Wilkins, in
his account of these temples, thus justly observes: " In answer to the objection of the in-
efficacy of human means to effect their overthrow, it may be replied, that the age capable
of furnishing machines for their construction, may be supposed competent to produce others
equally well adapted for their demolition." Wilkins's Magna Groscia.