Parthenon Frieze _ East IV, 22-27

myminifactory

Hermes, a messenger god, sits intensely watching the procession unfold before him. His feet are clad in sandals, and his traveller's hat (petasos) rests casually on his knee. The figure perched on his shoulder is likely none other than Dionysus, the god of wine, who leans on his left arm supported by a staff (thyrsos). Meanwhile, East Block IV features four men leaning heavily on sticks, while three gods and one goddess sit to their right. These four men, draped in simple cloaks, are best understood as eponymous heroes or civic dignitaries, possibly magistrates waiting to preside over the ceremonies. At the centre of the East frieze, the gods sit expectantly waiting for the ceremony to begin. All four on this Block face the southern branch of the procession with keen interest. On the left, Hermes is depicted wearing short boots, possibly winged, and a drill-hole in his right hand suggests that he was gripping his wand or caduceus tightly. Next to Hermes, another male figure twists round in his seat to observe the approaching procession with great curiosity. One arm rests on the shoulder of his companion, while the other is supported by a staff, now missing. He is believed to be Dionysus, and the staff must therefore have been adorned with a pine cone. Dionysus' right leg overlaps with the left foot of the next figure, Demeter. She sits serenely with her chin, now missing, resting on one hand, and in the other she holds a down-turned torch made of tightly bound straw. Seated beside Demeter is Ares, who cradles one knee in his clasped hands while his other leg rests on a spear, part of which is preserved beneath his ankle. The three male gods are depicted as naked but for cloaks that have slipped down and now rest around their middle. Demeter wears a peplos or heavy woollen tunic and over it she also wears a mantle, which covers her lower portion and clutches together over the upper thigh and pelvis. For more information on the pedestrian procession, see East frieze Block III.