Triglyphs and Metopes
Greek temple at Agrigento, Sicily
Most Greek temples have a pattern under the pediment known as triglyphs and metopes. The triglyphs alternate with the metopes across the front of the temple. Triglyphs (TRY-gliffs) have three parts, and then in between the triglyphs are the metopes (MET-oh-peas).
Why have triglyphs and metopes at all?
Sometimes (as on the temple from Agrigento) the metopes are plain. On
other temples, like the one here (also from Sicily),
carved mythological scenes appear. The center metope shows Perseus
killing Medusa.
