The South Metope XXVIII, part of the Parthenon Marbles collection in the British Museum, is a rectangular piece of white Pentelic marble. This marble, which comes from the Doric frieze of the Parthenon, filled the gap between triglyphs and is characterised by its high-relief form.
This specific metope measures 1.6 meters in width and 1.2 meters in height. It presents a scene from the Centauromachy, a famous mythological battle between the Lapiths, an ancient Greek tribe, and Centaurs. The underlying theme of this depiction is the Greeks' struggle between civilisation and barbarity and order and chaos.
The central figures are a Lapith man and a Centaur engaged in combat. Despite the damage, one can still identify the Lapith figure as Kaineus, suggested by his pose and clenched fist. The Centaur, in contrast, is depicted at the peak of violence. Notably, it showcases elaborate detailing, especially in its muscular structure, reflecting the proficiency of its creator.
This metope was crafted around 447-432 B.C, during Pericles' rule, and reflects the High Classical period of Classical Greek Art, which combined detail and idealised forms. Although the creator is unknown, it may have been one of the sculptors working under Phidias, the leading Athenian sculptor at the time.
