Nike and with the other she supported her shield on the inside of which was a
depiction of the Gigantomachy.
The depictions of the gods at battle in the metopes are of particular interest
because they give monumental form to images we know otherwise only from vases.
Their prominence on the east end of the temple is an indication of their perceived
importance. It seems clear that the Gigantomachy had meaning for Athenians that
was much broader and deeper than just a mythic fight. More likely it was a kind of
visual metaphor the terms of which could change over time. The treatment of Apollo
helps to illustrate this point.
Figure 26.5 Plan of the Acropolis showing the Propylaia, the great altar, the Parthenon, and
the Erechtheum. After Travlos 1988:37, fig. 33
Greek Religion and Art 407