Smith, Arthur H. [Editor]; British Museum <London> / Department of Greek and Roman Antiquities [Editor]: Catalogue of sculpture in the Department of Greek and Roman Antiquities (Band 1) (London, 1892)

HISTOKY OF THE PARTHENON.

93

two pediments, or gables at each end of the building (see
below, Nos. 303, 304) were filled with figures sculptured
in the round. Above the architrave, or beam resting on
the columns, were metopes, or square panels, adorned
with groups in very high relief, which served to fill up
the spaces between the triglyphs, or groups of three
vertical parallel bands, representing beam ends. All

Fig. 6.—Plan of the Parthenon. (From llichaelis.)

these sculptured decorations were executed, like the
architecture, in Pentelic marble.

The statue of the Parthenos is known to have been in
existence about 430 a.d. ; but not long after this date the
figure was removed, and the Parthenon was converted
into a Christian church, dedicated at first to Santa Sophia
(or the Divine Wisdom), and afterwards to the Panagia (or
Virgin Mary). For the purposes of the church, an apse
was built at the east end of the cella, and the entrance
was moved to the west end. The building was also given