Parthenon Frieze _ North X, 37-43

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This block from the South side of the Parthenon frieze showcases a few of the sixteen mature men in himatia during a procession. While strolling or standing, they all engage in conversations, turn to look behind them, or gesture with their hands. One man (38) secures a ribbon around his head, while another (41) sports hair braided into two strands that cross at the base of the neck. These have been interpreted as the thallophoroi (elders carrying olive branches) or city officials. The Parthenon frieze forms a continuous band with low-relief scenes that encircle the upper part of the cella, the main temple, within the outer colonnade. The theme depicted is the procession towards the Acropolis that occurred during the Great Panathenaia, the celebration commemorating the birthday of the goddess Athena. Numbering taken from I. Jenkins' 1994 publication, "The Parthenon Frieze." Frieze slabs are marked with Roman numerals, individuals are identified by arabic numerals.