This is the only comprehensive account of the Parthenon pediments in English and the first in any language since 1963. It serves as an up-to-date introduction to their study and includes new proposals for the restoration and interpretation of their composition. Debate on the Parthenon pediments has concentrated on the interpretation of individual figures, the restoration of the missing parts and the question of Roman repairs. The present study is based on autopsy and considers the evidence of technical details. It questions the attribution of certain familiar pieces and offers new suggestions for restoring the east pediment. All sculptures are illustrated, some with photographs taken especially for this book, and there are new drawings of the restorations proposed by the author. Chapter 1 is a general introduction to the study of the pediments. It includes an assessment of the documentation and a summary of stylistic and technical characteristics of the sculptures.

Chapters 2 and 3 treat each pediment separately. The discussion of individual sculptures is incorporated in a continuous narrative which sets them within the context of the overall composition.