The metopes depict battles, including Lapiths versus Centaurs.

Evidence

The metopes are all about battles – battles between the Olympian gods and the Giants, between Athenians and Amazons, and, in the ones I want to focus on, between Lapiths and Centaurs. — Neil MacGregor, A History of the World in 100 Objects, 458

Categorization

• corroborated: 2 independent passages support this claim — Neil MacGregor, A History of the World in 100 Objects, 458
• XREF: connects to: The Centaurs are depicted attacking the Lapiths in sculpture. — Neil MacGregor, A History of the World in 100 Objects, 458; Fighting Centaurs symbolizes Athens’ battles against chaos. — Neil MacGregor, A History of the World in 100 Objects, 461

Library Connections

• The Centaurs are depicted attacking the Lapiths in sculpture. #expands (0.85) — Neil MacGregor, A History of the World in 100 Objects, 458

Broader Connections

• Fighting Centaurs symbolizes Athens’ battles against chaos. #expands (0.65) — Neil MacGregor, A History of the World in 100 Objects, 461