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Architrave relief from the Temple of Athena at Assos with a scene of Herakles and Centaurs
Greek, East Greek
Archaic Period
about 540–525 B.C.
Findspot: Anatolia (Turkey), Troad, Assos (Behramkale), Foundations of the rampart at southwest angle
Medium/Technique
Andesite
Dimensions
Height: 82 cm (32 5/16 in.); width: 248 cm (97 5/8 in.)
Credit Line
Gift of the Archaeological Institute of America
Accession Number84.67
CollectionsAncient Greece and Rome
ClassificationsArchitectural elements
Painted sculpture was the decoration par excellence for ancient Greek temples. This section of architectural relief sculpture comes from the Temple of Athena at Assos (modern Behramkale, Turkey), excavated in 1880 and 1881 under the auspices of the Boston-based Archaeological Institute of America. As was common practice at the time, the finds were divided up, so that parts of the temple's sculpted decoration now reside in museums in Paris, Istanbul, and at the site, as well as in Boston.
The earliest Doric temple in the eastern Aegean, where the more ornate Ionic style was the native order, the Temple of Athena is unique in its idiosyncratic blend of elements from both western and eastern Greek architectural traditions. Of particular interest is the combination of an Ionic-style continuous frieze below the customary Doric band of alternating triglyphs and metopes, shown in the reconstruction drawing. Rather than a unified composition, as on most Ionic friezes, the architrave of the Temple of Athena features a series of individual motifs, perhaps a compromise between the decorative tradition of the Ionian coast of Asia Minor and an architectural scheme imported from the Greek mainland.
In this section of the frieze, the Greek hero Herakles, advancing from the left with his bow raised, drives off a group of unruly centaurs (mythical creatures with both human and horse parts). Partly preserved behind Herakles is the head and torso of Pholos, a civilized centaur, who holds a wine cup; according to legend, Pholos had opened a prized jar of old wine for his thirsty comrade, and its delicious smell had emboldened the troublesome centaurs to attack.
The earliest Doric temple in the eastern Aegean, where the more ornate Ionic style was the native order, the Temple of Athena is unique in its idiosyncratic blend of elements from both western and eastern Greek architectural traditions. Of particular interest is the combination of an Ionic-style continuous frieze below the customary Doric band of alternating triglyphs and metopes, shown in the reconstruction drawing. Rather than a unified composition, as on most Ionic friezes, the architrave of the Temple of Athena features a series of individual motifs, perhaps a compromise between the decorative tradition of the Ionian coast of Asia Minor and an architectural scheme imported from the Greek mainland.
In this section of the frieze, the Greek hero Herakles, advancing from the left with his bow raised, drives off a group of unruly centaurs (mythical creatures with both human and horse parts). Partly preserved behind Herakles is the head and torso of Pholos, a civilized centaur, who holds a wine cup; according to legend, Pholos had opened a prized jar of old wine for his thirsty comrade, and its delicious smell had emboldened the troublesome centaurs to attack.
Catalogue Raisonné
Sculpture in Stone (MFA), no. 019; Sculpture in Stone and Bronze (MFA), p. 106 (additional published references); Highlights: Classical Art (MFA), p. 038-039.
DescriptionThe taenia and regula (without guttae) of a Doric architrave are at the top of the block, a similar taenia at the bottom, and a narrower, raised band at the right end. Within this frame appears the adventure of Herakles with the centaurs of Mount Pholoë. The upper part of the centaur Pholos, the host of Herakles, is preserved at the left end. He is bearded, nude, and has human forelegs. He holds a large wine cup in his right hand, and lifts his left in a gesture of astonishment.
In front of him Herakles, beardless and nude, stands in profile to the right, bending forward, with his left leg advanced. He is drawing his bow, while before him three centaurs flee rapidly to the right. All three are bearded and have human forelegs. The first and third look back as they run, and carry what appear to be clubs, one in his right, the other in his left hand. The centaur in the middle is without a weapon, stretching out one arm in front and one behind him. The lower parts of all three centaurs are exactly alike; the left foreleg is advanced and the equine hind legs are placed side by side. The hind legs of two of the centaurs overlap the thigh of the following figure.
Broken in two, the relief is incomplete and broken irregularly, at the left end; the upper right-hand corner has been broken off. The surfaces are worn, both chipped and weathered. The surfaces are now a crusty brown.
In front of him Herakles, beardless and nude, stands in profile to the right, bending forward, with his left leg advanced. He is drawing his bow, while before him three centaurs flee rapidly to the right. All three are bearded and have human forelegs. The first and third look back as they run, and carry what appear to be clubs, one in his right, the other in his left hand. The centaur in the middle is without a weapon, stretching out one arm in front and one behind him. The lower parts of all three centaurs are exactly alike; the left foreleg is advanced and the equine hind legs are placed side by side. The hind legs of two of the centaurs overlap the thigh of the following figure.
Broken in two, the relief is incomplete and broken irregularly, at the left end; the upper right-hand corner has been broken off. The surfaces are worn, both chipped and weathered. The surfaces are now a crusty brown.
ProvenanceFrom the temple of Athena at Assos (Behramkale, Turkey); foundations of the rampart at the southwest angle of the citadel. 1881: excavated by the Archaeological Institute of America; gift of the Archaeological Institute of America to MFA, January 1884.