Olympia, Temple of Zeus, Amazon metope, reconstruction (small)

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Detail of leg

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Detail of the shield

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Amazon Metope: Overall view of metope

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Detail of head

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Amazon's knee

Collection: Olympia Archaeological Museum
Title: Olympia Amazon Metope
Context: From Olympia
Findspot: Excavated at Olympia
Summary: Herakles and the Amazon
Material: Marble
Sculpture Type: Architectural
Category: Statuary group
Placement: West Metope 6
Style: Early Classical
Technique: High relief
Original or Copy: Original
Date: ca. 470 BC - ca. 457 BC
Dimensions:

H 1.60 m (approximately square)
Scale: Under life-size
Region: Elis
Period: Early Classical
In Group: Olympia Metopes

Subject Description:

The last metope on the west side, i.e. the farthest on the viewer's right, depicted the struggle of Herakles with an Amazon in an attempt to wrest away her belt. Earlier representations showed Herakles fighting Amazons, but it is not clear that the battle involves a quest for the belt. Pindar (Pind. frag. 172 [158]), writing close to the time the Temple of Zeus was erected, specifically refers to this Labor. Slightly later, Euripides does as well (Eur. Her. 5; Eur. Her. 407 ff.). Both mention that Herakles was accompanied by Peleus, though in accordance with the other metopes the simplest presentation of the episode has been chosen with only Herakles and his opponent represented.

The latest restoration shows that the struggle is over. The Amazon is dead or dying and has fallen to the ground. Her oval shield, characteristic of Amazonian armor, is still attached to her arm, though the hand which graps it is limp. The figure resembles the Dying Warrior from the Aegina pediment with the slit-like eyes (Aegina E 6). The figure of Herakles is also reminiscent of the Early Classical Athenian group of the Tyranicides in its arm-over-the-head pose.

Condition: Fragmentary

Condition Description:

Head of Herakles, formerly assigned to the Hind Metope, is preserved in Paris. Other fragments of Herakles preserved include parts of both legs and a small part of the left arm and torso together with the tip of his club. Of the Amazon: her head, parts of her shield and left arm, and two small fragments belonging to each of her legs. Surface worn.

Associated Building: Olympia, Temple of Zeus

Sources Used:

Stewart 1990, 142 ff.; Brommer 1986; Boardman 1985a, 33ff.; Mallwitz & Herrmann 1980, 161ff.; Robertson 1975, 276 ff.; Ashmole 1972, 27 ff.; Ridgway 1970; Ashmole & Yalouris 1967