Sacrificial procession
In antiquity people honoured their gods by making offerings and sacrifices to them. They followed a special rite and they used special sacred vessels and implements. During the sacred ceremony, they offered the gods wine, the first and most valuable fruit and they sacrificed animals.
The sacrificial procession is shown on the eastern part of the long sides of the Parthenon Frieze, north and south, and continues on the east end.
On the north side the sacrificial animals are shown, four bulls and four rams, walking along with their drivers. The drawings of J. Carrey contribute significantly to the restoration of the sacrificial procession on the north side.
The horizontal axes formed by the bodies of the bulls and the vertical lines formed by their drivers, especially the youth whose himation conceals his entire body, make an interesting composition. The bull rebelling against the procession, with the movement of its head and legs, throws into relief a new perception of freedom on the part of the artist.
Three skaphephoroi (tray-bearers) follow.
Then come three water-carriers, youths wearing himatia who are carrying heavy jars with water necessary for the sacrifice. Behind them is a fourth figure who is perhaps nude and who has set down his hydria on the ground so as to rest for a moment.
The scene of musicians with auloi and citharas follows.
The scene of musicians with auloi and citharas follows.
Then come sixteen venerable men, the thallophoroi, who each carry olive branches, the thalloi, which were not carved in relief but added in colour on the background of the frieze.
Then come sixteen venerable men, the thallophoroi, who each carry olive branches, the thalloi, which were not carved in relief but added in colour on the background of the frieze.
Depicted on the south side are ten bulls accompanied by three drivers each.
Some of the bulls proceed quietly…
one bends its head down struggling…
another tosses its head…
and on another block the driver is pulling the rope with all his might in order to hold the animal back.
The cattle herders are wearing long himatia in various ways. Some have draped them around their shoulders…
and some are fully wrapped in them.
A small fragment verifies the participation of skaphephoroi (tray-bearers) on this side too.
Taking part in the procession are musicians with citharas.
Taking part in the procession are musicians with citharas.
Likewise participating are thallophoroi, elderly men with olive branches, the thalloi.
Likewise participating are thallophoroi, elderly men with olive branches, the thalloi.
Likewise participating are thallophoroi, elderly men with olive branches, the thalloi.
The sacrificial procession continues on the east side, where the two lines of the procession meet over the entrance to the temple. The east side of the frieze is the most sacred and therefore no animals are portrayed. It is, moreover, the only side on which women are participating.
An official connects the south with the east frieze, with a gesture signalling the procession to continue.
Women follow, moving toward the centre, bearing ritual utensils for the sacrifice. They carry omphalos phialai…
Women follow, moving toward the centre, bearing ritual utensils for the sacrifice. They carry omphalos phialai…
oinochoai for the offerings…
oinochoai for the offerings…
and thymiateria (incense burners).
Between the women and the gods, who occupy the centre of the east side, are four figures at the right…
and six figures at the left. These are the ten eponymous heroes of Attica, the mythical primogenitors of the ancient Athenians. They are clad in himatia and appear to be conversing with each other, some supported on staves.
and six figures at the left. These are the ten eponymous heroes of Attica, the mythical primogenitors of the ancient Athenians. They are clad in himatia and appear to be conversing with each other, some supported on staves.
