The Parthenon Sculptures: metope
- Gallery: Room 18
- Maker: Pheidias
- Culture: Classical Greek
- Made in: Athens
- Date: 447BC-438BC
- Object type: metope
- Materials: marble
- Museum number: 1816,0610.12
- Museum: The British Museum
- Collection record: British Museum website
- Image © The Trustees of the British Museum, shared under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 licence.
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About this object
This is a marble metope from the Parthenon, part of a series that once decorated the temple’s south side. The scene shows a centaur—half-human, half-horse—triumphantly rearing over a fallen lapith, a Greek warrior. The centaur’s left arm carries a feline skin, its edges trailing behind him. The lapith lies on the ground, his head tilted back, legs bent, and his right hand resting against his side. Time has taken its toll—sections of both figures and the surrounding frame are now missing.
This metope is among 92 that adorned the Parthenon, showcasing battles between centaurs and lapiths. According to Greek legend, the centaurs, known for their wild temper, caused a disturbance at a marriage feast by attempting to carry off the bride. The resulting conflict between the two groups is captured in powerful, dynamic poses like this one.
See it in person
The Parthenon Sculptures: metope is on display in Room 18 at the British Museum on Great Russell Street, Bloomsbury, London — free to enter. Choose British Museum on audioguide.london and take a photo of it to hear this free audio guide in six languages — no app download needed.
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