South frieze

Near the corner at the left, behind the horseman, a marshal is visible. He wears an himation leaving the right shoulder exposed and falling over his left forearm. The three horsemen are clad in short chiton, chlamys, felt boots and fox-skin caps.

The next three horsemen are badly broken. Along with the riders on block I they form the first group, so they should have been similarly dressed.

The scene is made up of two horsemen, the first of which, with fine well built torso, leans back in an effort to rein in his galloping steed. His chlamys, held by a brooch on his right shoulder, falls over his left forearm leaving his body nude. Quite otherwise, the second horseman is well wrapped in his chlamys, but he is barefoot. The manes of both horses are rendered in a flame-like pattern similar to those of the horses on blocks IV, V & XXXI, suggesting that they are all by the same sculptor.

Depicted here are two horsemen, heavily damaged. The first, easier to discern, wears an exomis and chlamys, the second only a chlamys.

The first horsemanon the left is not preserved at all. The second, with a well-built nude body, turns his beautiful head to look back. Here the second group ends. The third horseman coincides exactly with the join between blocks V & VI. He must have worn a short chiton, belted, and felt boots, as do the others of the third group.

Two horsemen, wearing chiton and felt boots, are shown in side view, seriously concentrating their attention on the contest.

Of the three horsemen shown next, preserved in part are the first and second. They wear short double-belted chiton and probably felt boots (embades). Of the third horseman only the lower part of the body is preserved, covered by his chiton. The last rider, whose body is shown on this block, with the forepart of his horse on the next, belonged to the fourth group of horsemen of the south frieze. The garments of this group, chiton, chlamys and felt boots, are known to us from the best preserved horsemen of blocks VIII and particularly IX.

Despite severe damage, it is clear that the two first horsemen are each wearing a chlamys over a short chiton and that they are shod in felt boots. The body of third horseman on the right end of the block has been almost obliterated. His hands, holding the reins, are on the next block IX.

The good condition of the upper part of the block has preserved two riders clearly. They are clad in chlamys, evidently over short chiton, and felt boots. Just as a space has been left between the first and second groups of horsemen, here too the space between the second rider and the first rider on next block X shows that the next horseman belongs to the next group, the fifth. Notable is the rendering of the horses’ manes as a compact mass; details of the hair will have been painted.

Three horsemen of the fifth group gallop their horses so closely to each other that the bodies of the middle horseman and his horse are entirely concealed by the horse of the first. The riders’ hair is short and they wear an anatomical cuirass over short chiton, chlamys covering their thighs and boots. Details of their hair and of the compact mass of the horses’ manes will have been rendered in paint.

Next come three more riders of the fifth group clad in similar fashion. Although the file of horses is less taut, the bodies of the riders are hidden by the horses’ heads. This group of six horsemen is the best preserved. Notable is the variety in rendition of the manes, with longer tufts freely flowing in the wind, thus emphasising the speed at which the horses gallop.

On this block and the next are shown the horsemen of the sixth group, their horses in a gallop. They hold the reins in both hands. The riders together with their horses have for the most part broken off, except for the head of the horse of first rider and the head and upper body of the second rider, who wears a cuirass with shoulder straps and leather flaps, the attire of the entire group. The head of the third rider is exactly at the line of the join between the two blocks.

The other three horsemen of the sixth group are galloping their horses at a fast pace, apparent from the wind-blown manes. They wear the garments noted above: cuirass with shoulder straps and flaps, felt boots. The first had a hair-band added in metal, as can be seen from the blind holes and channeling made for its attachment. The second wears a fox-skin cap. On the right end of the block is the head and body of the third horseman of the group, almost entirely broken off and continuing onto the next block.

On the left can be detected the horse’s head and the feet of first horseman of the sixth group. A short distance ahead is another horseman, the last of the next group, for the most part broken off. A third horseman and his horse are exactly on the joining line between the two blocks, with the horse continuing onto the next block XV.

Preserved on the left, partly broken off, is the forepart of the horse of rider on the joining line, with the horse’s head and the rider’s leg. Next is depicted a horseman whose body is concealed by the horse behind him and the next horseman. They both wear helmets with neck-pieces. Finally, detectable on the right is another horseman, whose leg together with the forepart of his horse’s body can be seen continuing on block XVI.

The entire top of the block is missing and with it the greater part of the heads of the two horses and the upper parts of the bodies of horsemen of the seventh group. At the right of the block is a negligible gap, which has been variously interpreted as marking a separation between two groups of horsemen or as signifying two different workshops. Others have suggested that a block is missing here, an interpretation that does not stand as there is not enough room.

Depicted on this block, from which the two upper corners are missing, are three horsemen of the eighth group, galloping their horses abreast. One partly conceals the other (the first conceals the second and the second the third). The first horseman wears boots, double-belted chiton and a leather chlamys with wind-blown tip floating out onto the previous block. The middle rider is depicted with chiton, chlamys and boots. Of the third, only fragments remain of his garments and his horse. The head of the third horseman is missing.

This block preserves what appears to be the lower parts of three horses’ legs, the right leg of the middle horseman showing part of his chiton over his knee, and a completely broken part of the third horseman who is the leader of the eighth group and spreads over onto the adjoining block XIX.

On the right end of the block is preserved in damaged condition the leader of the eighth group, part of his chiton over his knee. After a space comes another horseman who belongs to the ninth group and whose representation continues on the next block. He wears short chiton, chlamys, felt boots and petasos, as can be seen in Carrey’s drawings and the fragments preserved from the hat of next rider of this group on block XX.

Preserved from this block are the lower parts of the legs of the horses of two riders of the ninth group, as well as and the head of the rider on the left. They are clad in chitoniskos (short chiton) and chlamys, with a petasos on their heads.

Three horsemen of the ninth group, in fragmentary condition, are depicted here. They overlap, partly concealing each other. Although the head of the first figure has broken off, there remains a trace of the wide-brimmed hat worn by all the riders of the ninth group. The middle rider differs only in having his petasos hanging down his back rather than wearing it on his head.

The block is missing, having been removed to make a window when the temple was turned into a church. It was no longer there for Carrey to record it. Yet the preserved parts of the adjoining blocks help in a restoration. At the left of this block there will have been the forepart of horseman of block XXI. The right end can be restored with the hindquarters of the horse of the missing horseman.

The three horsemen, whose heads are missing, wear double-belted chiton with short sleeves and boots.

Fragments have been attributed to this block and it has been restored primarily on the basis of Carrey’s drawings. He is the only one to have drawn the two first horsemen of the tenth group. Here the groups of horsemen end.

With this block the chariot course of the south side begins. The groups of apobates and chariots are shown in action, with the exception of the first two on blocks XXV and XXVI and the last two on blocks XXXIII & XXXIV. The first show the preparations for the contest, the last have finished. As a rule, each block has a single chariot. Preserved in fragments from block XXV are: a small piece of the clothing and the rim of the apobates’ shield, parts of the horse team of the first chariot and part of the marshal’s himation.

The second chariot is depicted on this block, the upper part and corners of which are missing. Even though the head and shoulders of the apobates have broken off, the figure is notable for its stance and for the modelling of the body discernible beneath the thin, short chiton which is gathered over the chest and belted at the waist. He is depicted with right leg free and turned outwards and his right hand hanging down with pointing finger bent. Perhaps he held a strigil. He is conversing with the marshal who stands behind the horses, his right arm extended to give an order of some sort.

Here we rely on the drawings of Carrey to fill in the missing scenes. On blocks XΧVII and XΧVIIΙ two chariots are shown (the third and fourth, one on each block), one behind the other, already moving with their charioteers and hoplites on the chariot and the marshals standing on the invisible side of the horses. The first marshal is turned toward the right and the second toward the left with right hand outstretched toward the biga.

Here we rely on the drawings of Carrey to fill in the missing scenes. On blocks XΧVII and XΧVIIΙ two chariots are shown (the third and fourth, one on each block), one behind the other, already moving with their charioteers and hoplites on the chariot and the marshals standing on the invisible side of the horses. The first marshal is turned toward the right and the second toward the left with right hand outstretched toward the biga.

Missing are the upper part and corners of the block. Another chariot is depicted here (the fifth), of which only the chariot wheel and horses have survived.

This block was removed in order to make a window in the Christian church and it has since disappeared. The adjoining blocks are of some help in a restoration and the scene may well have shown the sixth chariot.

This is an impressive scene. Beside the charioteer, who has largely been broken off, is the apobates with helmet and shield. His chlamys blows out in the wind, leaving his body exposed. He turns to look behind him while standing on the moving chariot, the seventh. The figure is more deeply cut into the background of the relief, while the heads of the four horses in their different positions and with their flame-like manes wind-blown give the feeling of speed in vivid fashion. The manes are exactly similar to those of the horses on blocks III, IV & V.

Despite the bad state of preservation of the sculptured surface, another chariot, the eighth, can be discerned. It is moving rapidly, with charioteer and hoplite in the chariot-car and a marshal standing at the invisible side of the horse. With body frontal and head turned toward his right, with his left hand he is trying to keep his himation from slipping off his left shoulder.

The missing scenes are known almost to completion from the Carrey drawings: on blocks XΧXIII and XΧXIV two chariots are depicted (ninth and tenth) that have evidently reached the finish, since their hooves are all firmly on the ground and the charioteers in the bigas. Behind the horses stand the marshals, shown frontally, himation clad and between the chariots a leader of the group, wearing a chlamys. Their upraised arms suggest that they are giving orders.

The missing scenes are known almost to completion from the Carrey drawings: on blocks XΧXIII and XΧXIV two chariots are depicted (ninth and tenth) that have evidently reached the finish, since their hooves are all firmly on the ground and the charioteers in the bigas. Behind the horses stand the marshals, shown frontally, himation clad and between the chariots a leader of the group, wearing a chlamys. Their upraised arms suggest that they are giving orders.

The vivid scenes of horse and chariot racing on the previous blocks are succeeded now by quiet scenes depicting the procession of the eighteen elders. Since the blocks have survived in fragments, they can be restored on the basis of Carrey’s drawings. The file is divided at about the middle by two conversing elders. According to L. Beschi, eight of the eighteen are archons of state (the ninth archon is shown in the peplos presentation scene on the east side) and the other ten are representatives of the ten tribes, thus agreeing with the arrangement of the figures on the south frieze in groups of ten, as proposed by the same scholar. The illusion of depth is striking, with the extraordinary stepping of levels of relief. The figures on the first level protrude more into the foreground, whereas the relief is reduced in the succeeding levels, gradually fading into the background.

The vivid scenes of horse and chariot racing on the previous blocks are succeeded now by quiet scenes depicting the procession of the eighteen elders. Since the blocks have survived in fragments, they can be restored on the basis of Carrey’s drawings. The file is divided at about the middle by two conversing elders. According to L. Beschi, eight of the eighteen are archons of state (the ninth archon is shown in the peplos presentation scene on the east side) and the other ten are representatives of the ten tribes, thus agreeing with the arrangement of the figures on the south frieze in groups of ten, as proposed by the same scholar. The illusion of depth is striking, with the extraordinary stepping of levels of relief. The figures on the first level protrude more into the foreground, whereas the relief is reduced in the succeeding levels, gradually fading into the background.

The vivid scenes of horse and chariot racing on the previous blocks are succeeded now by quiet scenes depicting the procession of the eighteen elders. Since the blocks have survived in fragments, they can be restored on the basis of Carrey’s drawings. The file is divided at about the middle by two conversing elders. According to L. Beschi, eight of the eighteen are archons of state (the ninth archon is shown in the peplos presentation scene on the east side) and the other ten are representatives of the ten tribes, thus agreeing with the arrangement of the figures on the south frieze in groups of ten, as proposed by the same scholar. The illusion of depth is striking, with the extraordinary stepping of levels of relief. The figures on the first level protrude more into the foreground, whereas the relief is reduced in the succeeding levels, gradually fading into the background.

Blocks XΧXVIII, XΧXΙΧ and ΧLhave not survived. A fragment of the subject represented has been recognised from Carrey’s drawings, even though it is not entirely clear. Four figures are depicted, himation clad and holding rectangular objects identified by most as cithara sounding-boards, by analogy with the citharists on the north side. Others have suggested that they carry pinakes or plaques, either votives or inscribed with the proceedings of the Athenian archons. In this case, the pinakophoroi would be registrars or stewards who render accounts, a matter that coincided with the Panathenaia. The theme of the pinakophoroi has nothing comparable on the north side, despite the analogies of scene existing between the two long sides. One of the three blocks was removed during mediaeval times in order to make way for a window in the Christian church. A fragment preserving the head of a skaphephoros has been attributed to these blocks.

Blocks XΧXVIII, XΧXΙΧ and ΧLhave not survived. A fragment of the subject represented has been recognised from Carrey’s drawings, even though it is not entirely clear. Four figures are depicted, himation clad and holding rectangular objects identified by most as cithara sounding-boards, by analogy with the citharists on the north side. Others have suggested that they carry pinakes or plaques, either votives or inscribed with the proceedings of the Athenian archons. In this case, the pinakophoroi would be registrars or stewards who render accounts, a matter that coincided with the Panathenaia. The theme of the pinakophoroi has nothing comparable on the north side, despite the analogies of scene existing between the two long sides. One of the three blocks was removed during mediaeval times in order to make way for a window in the Christian church. A fragment preserving the head of a skaphephoros has been attributed to these blocks.

Blocks XΧXVIII, XΧXΙΧ and ΧLhave not survived. A fragment of the subject represented has been recognised from Carrey’s drawings, even though it is not entirely clear. Four figures are depicted, himation clad and holding rectangular objects identified by most as cithara sounding-boards, by analogy with the citharists on the north side. Others have suggested that they carry pinakes or plaques, either votives or inscribed with the proceedings of the Athenian archons. In this case, the pinakophoroi would be registrars or stewards who render accounts, a matter that coincided with the Panathenaia. The theme of the pinakophoroi has nothing comparable on the north side, despite the analogies of scene existing between the two long sides. One of the three blocks was removed during mediaeval times in order to make way for a window in the Christian church. A fragment preserving the head of a skaphephoros has been attributed to these blocks.

Blocks ΧLΙ to ΧLVII show youths driving bulls for sacrifice. There is some doubt about the sequence here. On blocks ΧLΙ & XLII the bulls are moving quietly along, while beside them their herdsmen, wrapped in himatia, are moving straight ahead with their eyes fixed on their destination.

Blocks ΧLΙ to ΧLVII show youths driving bulls for sacrifice. There is some doubt about the sequence here. On blocks ΧLΙ & XLII the bulls are moving quietly along, while beside them their herdsmen, wrapped in himatia, are moving straight ahead with their eyes fixed on their destination.

The scene shown here is especially full of action. The herdsman of a rebellious bull is making a tremendeous effort to bring him back into line. Bracing his foot against a rock, he pulls the rope with all his strength. In the effort, his himation has slipped down from his shoulder over his left forearm from which it now hangs. Another herdsman is depicted as moving toward the right behind the bull.

A bull is depicted with his head thrown back, evidently bellowing. Two himation clad young herdsmen are on each side of the animal. The first turns his head to look back toward the left, while the marshal, turning in the same direction, gives an order of some sort with outstretched hand.

Shown here are two more bulls, their young himation-clad drivers by their sides. The second from the left, in frontal stance, has turned his head to the left and, with his right hand raised, is evidently arranging the hair-band he is wearing.

On blocks XLVI and XLVIΙ the procession of bulls, young herdsmen and occasional himation-clad marshals comes to an end. The head of the procession is punctuated by the figure of the leader, who looks out, in frontal stance, toward the viewer.

On blocks XLVI and XLVIΙ the procession of bulls, young herdsmen and occasional himation-clad marshals comes to an end. The head of the procession is punctuated by the figure of the leader, who looks out, in frontal stance, toward the viewer.