archaic metopes

archaic period dates

650-490BC

Temple C at Selinus: Herakles and the Kerkopes date

570BC

metopes quote from Woodford

‘if they wished to use the space effectively for story-telling, they had to select a significant and recognisable moment for the representation’

kerkopes material

limestone relief sculpture - strongly symmetrical composition

kerkopes figures

all 3 figures are frontally emphasised - Herakles has an awkward ¾ turn

kerkopes facial expressions

kerkopes archaic smile and Herakles emotionless face - comedic narrative

Herakles features/details

depth perception indicated by Herakles’ sword - enormous thighs and implied presence of his hirsute backside contribute to comedic narrative

kerkopes quote from Woodford

‘his striding legs provide enlivening diagonal accents in a composition that is otherwise dominated by emphatic verticals and horizontals’