DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.15096#0034
17
Clotho, separate and independent, is expressive of active and vigo-
rous youth; the second, Lachesis, supporting another in her lap,
of the sedateness of middle age; the third, Atropos, in repose,
is descriptive or emblematical of the languor of declining life.
The vacancy beyond was occupied by a figure of which no trace
remains, probably Apollo, or Night, of whom the Fates were the
daughters, descending into the ocean, the horses' heads about to be
submerged; one of these is now in the British Museum, and has
already been noticed. (PI. 12.)
The metopes of this Front of the temple are for the most part
so mutilated as to have hitherto remained undescribed. The
subjects of many of them are however distinctly traceable. They
are referable to Athenian mythology, the actions of the gods, of the
heroes of the country, and sometimes of Minerva herself. As de-
corations to the entablature, and enhancing by their smaller scale
the magnitude of the sculptures of the Pediment, and affording a
beautiful gradation between the simplicity and breadth of the archi-
trave and columns, and the richness of the 'Aeroc, they were of the
utmost importance to the effect of the whole front.
In the metope No. 1, to the left, a hero in an ample tunic triumphs
over another, who seems to be enveloped in a lion's skin;
2. This metope appears to represent Bacchus pursuing Lycurgus,
king of Thrace, whom he caused to be devoured by panthers on
Mount Rhodope.(7)
3. A combat, in which one of the heroes is fallen.
4. Apparently a female, perhaps Minerva Gigantophontis, has
thrown a giant to the ground; behind her are indications of another
figure; the corresponding metope (the 11th) has also three figures
in relief.
5. Minerva, the tamer of horses.
6. Hercules delivers Theseus from confinement/8)
7 Hyginus, Fab. 132. 9 Paus. Att. c. xvii.
D
Clotho, separate and independent, is expressive of active and vigo-
rous youth; the second, Lachesis, supporting another in her lap,
of the sedateness of middle age; the third, Atropos, in repose,
is descriptive or emblematical of the languor of declining life.
The vacancy beyond was occupied by a figure of which no trace
remains, probably Apollo, or Night, of whom the Fates were the
daughters, descending into the ocean, the horses' heads about to be
submerged; one of these is now in the British Museum, and has
already been noticed. (PI. 12.)
The metopes of this Front of the temple are for the most part
so mutilated as to have hitherto remained undescribed. The
subjects of many of them are however distinctly traceable. They
are referable to Athenian mythology, the actions of the gods, of the
heroes of the country, and sometimes of Minerva herself. As de-
corations to the entablature, and enhancing by their smaller scale
the magnitude of the sculptures of the Pediment, and affording a
beautiful gradation between the simplicity and breadth of the archi-
trave and columns, and the richness of the 'Aeroc, they were of the
utmost importance to the effect of the whole front.
In the metope No. 1, to the left, a hero in an ample tunic triumphs
over another, who seems to be enveloped in a lion's skin;
2. This metope appears to represent Bacchus pursuing Lycurgus,
king of Thrace, whom he caused to be devoured by panthers on
Mount Rhodope.(7)
3. A combat, in which one of the heroes is fallen.
4. Apparently a female, perhaps Minerva Gigantophontis, has
thrown a giant to the ground; behind her are indications of another
figure; the corresponding metope (the 11th) has also three figures
in relief.
5. Minerva, the tamer of horses.
6. Hercules delivers Theseus from confinement/8)
7 Hyginus, Fab. 132. 9 Paus. Att. c. xvii.
D