Parthenon Frieze _ North XXXIV, 89-92

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Half of the North frieze is housed in the British Museum and the other half in the Acropolis museum, showcasing its majestic length of 58.70 meters. Scenes unfold at the northwest corner of the opisthonaos as a continuation of the west side procession, running from block N XLVII to block N I. The action unfolds gradually, accelerating from quiet preparation to an exhilarating gallop. Without regard for block divisions, horsemen are depicted riding in groups of seven or eight, their horses partly overlapping each other. The continuous flow of horses and riders is briefly interrupted only by the marshal on block XXXIV. The frieze's variety of garments, stances, and gestures ensures that monotony is skillfully avoided. The Parthenon frieze forms a continuous band encircling the upper part of the cella within the outer colonnade, adorned with scenes in low relief. This iconic theme represents the grand procession toward the Acropolis during the Great Panathenaia, commemorating the birthday of the goddess Athena.