The Metopes of the Parthenon are a series of 92 marble panels running along the outside walls of the Parthenon, and form part of the Doric frieze. The metopes of each side of the building had a different subject, and together with the pediments, Ionic frieze, and the statue of Athena Parthenos contained within the Parthenon, formed an elaborate program of sculptural decoration. The Parthenon seen from the hill of the Pnyx to the west. ... The uncompleted Doric temple at Segesta, Sicily, has been waiting for finishing of its surfaces since 430–420 BC The Doric order was one of the three orders or organizational systems of Ancient Greek or classical architecture; the other two orders were the Ionic and the Corinthian. ...

The east metopes

The East metopes were situated above the main entrance. They depict the final stages of the cosmogonic battle between the Olympian gods and the Giants (Gigantomachy). The fight develops around the central figure of Zeus (Plaque No. 8) followed by his chariot. His brother Poseidon with his chariot is shown closeby (Plaque No. 6) throwing the island of Nisyros over the defeated Giant Polybotes. Although the figure of Heracles has not yet been identified from the remaining fragments, it is almost certain that the hero whose contribution to the victory of the Olympian gods was significant, was present. The felicitous outcome of the battle is implied with the scene of Helios (sun-god) and his chariot rising from the night (Plaque No. 14), a new era was about to commence. Metopes (Opus 29) is a work for piano solo by the Polish composer Karol Szymanowski. ... The Twelve Olympians, in Greek mythology, were the principal gods of the Greek pantheon, residing atop Mount Olympus. ... Statue of Zeus Phidias created the 12-m (40-ft) tall statue of Zeus at Olympia about 435 BCE. The statue was perhaps the most famous sculpture in ancient Greece, imagined here in a 16th-century engraving. ... Neptune reigns in the city centre, Bristol, formerly the largest port in England outside London. ... Satellite image of Nisyros island, an active volcano Nisyros (Greek: Νίσυρος; also transliterated Nissiros; see also List of traditional Greek place names) is a volcanic Greek island located in the Aegean Sea. ... Hercules, a Roman bronze (Louvre Museum) In Greek mythology, Heracles, or Herakles (glory of Hera, Ἥρα + κλέος, )(Etruscan Hercle) was a divine hero, the son of Zeus and Alcmene, stepson of Amphitryon and great-grandson of Perseus. ... Helios in Greek In earlier Greek mythology, the sun was personified as a deity called Hêlios (Greek for the sun), whom Homer equates with the sun Titan, Hyperion. ...

The south metopes

The metopes of the southern wall (Plaques No. 1-12 and 21-32) present the Battle of the Lapiths and Centaurs, also known as the Centauromachy, in which the mythological Athenian king Theseus took part. The battle between the Centaurs and the Lapiths broke out during the wedding feast of the king of the Lapiths and personal friend of Theseus, Peirithus. According to one version of the myth, the Centaurs, insulted from being excluded from the celebrations attacked the Lapiths while according to another, during the feast drunken Centaurs reacted violently under the influence of wine. The result was a fight between the Centaurs and the Lapiths and an attempt of the former to abduct the Lapith women. For other uses, see Athens (disambiguation). ... Theseus (Greek ) was a legendary king of Athens, son of Aegeus (or of Poseidon) and of Aethra. ... See also centaur (planetoid), Centaur (rocket stage) Guido Reni, Abduction of Deianira, 1620-21 In Greek mythology, the centaurs (Greek: Κένταυροι) are a race part human and part horse, with a horses body and a human head and torso (illustration, right). ... In Greek mythology, the Lapiths were a semi-legenday, semi-historical race, whose home was in Thessaly in the valley of the Peneus. ...

The Centaurs have faces with animal features whose linear drawings strongly recall theatrical masks. They are shown wearing animal skins and they are armed with tree-branches. On the other hand, the Lapiths fight nude or wearing a chlamys, several of them hold a sword or a spear which as they were formely metallic attachments, are now lost, while in some cases, the Lapiths use shields to protect themselves.

There is a tendency to recognize the bridegroom Peirithus on metope 11 and the bride Diedameia on metope 25 but there is no conclusive evidence for these identifications. On metope 29, features of the mature Classical style can be traced on the face and the dress of the Lapith woman.

The presence of household utensils such as hydrias (ceramic pots with three handles used for mainly for storing water), which are also used as provisionary weapons by the combatants, indicates a battle fought indoors. Certain compositions are repeated whereas the overall execution of the scenes is less ambitious than the initial plans. Contrary to the eventual outcome of the battle and to the morale of the myth which emphasizes on the superiority of the civilized world over the primeval disorder, the winning party in this fearless fight are the Centaurs and not the Lapiths. However, it is possible that the battle is still in its initial stages.

In 1687, a cannonball struck the Parthenon during an attack on Athens by the Venetians. This event destroyed many metopes on the south wall, especially the central ones. The existence of these metopes is now known only from Carrey's drawings executed in 1674 and from their remaining fragments. Their subject matter is not altogether clear as the metopes present uncommon iconographical details. Some experts recognize on them the representation of Attic dynastic myths (the stories of the royal families of Cecrops and Erechtheus) while others, attempting to unify mythologically the afore-mentioned scenes with the ones of the Centauromachy, propose a subject related to the myths of the Centauromachy heroes. Events March 19 - The men under explorer Robert Cavelier de La Salle murder him while searching for the mouth of the Mississippi River. ... Athens (Greek: Αθήνα, Athína IPA: ) is the capital of Greece and one of the most famous cities in the world, named after goddess Athena. ... Venice is known for its waterways and gondolas Gondola. ... Events February 19 - England and the Netherlands sign the Treaty of Westminster. ...

The west metopes

The subject of the west metopes is the legendary invasion of Athens by the Amazons. Scholars consider these metopes, which show the Amazons in eastern dress, a reference to the Persian Wars.

The north metopes

The north metopes show scenes of the Trojan War.