Temple of Apollo at Bassae Frieze

When was the temple dated to?

430-420 BC

When was the ionic frieze dated to?

420-400 BC, classical period

What does the epithet ‘Apollo Epikourios’ mean?

‘Apollo the helper’ or ‘mercenary soldier’

What type of columns did this temple display?

External Doric columns of 6m high and internal ionic columns attached to cella walls by spur walls creating an intimate atmosphere

What effect would oil lighting create inside the Cella?

Chiaroscuro

Where was the ionic frieze displayed rather oddly?

Inside the Cella

How long and tall was the ionic frieze? How deep in relief was it and how high off the ground?

23 marble slabs in deep relief, 31m long in total and 0.63m high and about 7m above the ground.

What two myths are depicted on the ionic frieze?

• The Amazonomachy

• The Centauromachy

What aesthetic features are depicted on this part of the frieze depicting the Amazonomachy?

• Exaggerated billowing himation with motion lines on right Amazon

• Multiple planes created by the right Amazon holding dead or dying Amazon

• Transparencies, motion lines and modelling lines

• On the left the outstretched legs of the hero and central amazon prior to fight create pleasing diagonals

• Chiastic posing

What aesthetic features are displayed here?

• Heracles in chiastic pose with a hidden club preparing to hit amazon vs amazon in chiastic pose reacting to Herakles attack

• The fallen sitting hero on the left contrasts with Herakles’ upright torso

• Multiple planes created by the diagonal legs of the Amazon and Herakles

• Modelling lines in lion skin contrast with Herakles’ body

What aesthetic features are displayed here on this part of the frieze depicting the Centauromachy?

• On the left the female Lapith is portrayed in a swirl of curvilinear drapery however the proportions of her hands are abnormally large

• The age differentiation between the Centaur and the Lapith is evident

• The Older centaur has a lion skin round his neck and exaggerated muscles with bulging veins to convey his strength

• Diagonals created by the rearing centaur and the falling younger male Lapith

• Multiple planes created by Lapiths shield which show him to be exposed and vulnerable to attack