Parthenon Frieze _ South XVII, 44-46

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The south side of the frieze is preserved in a state of fragmentary ruin and the sculptured surface was severely damaged as a direct result of the catastrophic explosion that ravaged the Parthenon in 1687. This explains why the sequence from block XX onward is uncertain, despite the Carrey drawings providing us with valuable insights into the missing sections and enabling us to locate several existing fragments. The original length of the frieze along the south side measures 58.70 meters, composed of forty-seven blocks, some of which are displayed in the Acropolis Museum while others can be found in the British Museum. Each block averages a width of 1.22 meters, showcasing workmanship that is noticeably less skilled than its north-facing counterpart, although certain scenes may be considered masterpieces of the Parthenon (blocks III, X, XI, XXVI, XXXI and XLIV). The procession begins at the west corner and proceeds toward the right, with a notable absence of the varied poses, garments, and movements seen in the north frieze. The riders move in a straight line, gazing directly ahead, with one solitary exception on block V, rider (13), where the horse's trimmed mane reflects its speed of movement. As seen in the north frieze, the south side sections are: a) the horsemen, b) the chariots, and c) the sacrificial procession. It is likely that the arrangement of the horsemen in the procession was organized according to tribe, mirroring the political organization of the Athenian state. The variation seen in the garments, with ten groups of six riders each, seems to support this interpretation. The first group (2-7) wears a fox-hide cap, short chiton, chlamys, and boots; the second group (8-13) only dons the chlamys; while the third group's horsemen (14-19) wear a short cuirass over a short chiton and boots. The fourth group's riders (20-25) are clad in short chiton and chlamys, the fifth (26-31) in anatomical cuirass over short chiton and boots; those of the sixth group (32-37) wear a fox-skin cap, short chiton over which is a cuirass with flaps, and boots. The seventh group's riders (38-43) don a helmet of Athenian type, short chiton, chlamys, and boots, while the eighth group (44-49) wears chlamys over short chiton and boots. The ninth group's riders (50-55) are clad in petasos, short chiton, chlamys, and boots, and lastly, the tenth group comprises horsemen (56-61) wearing short chiton and boots. Next comes the procession of chariots, greatly fragmented due to the 1687 explosion and preserved only in interrupted stretches. Five blocks are entirely missing, while ten chariots make their way through, each occupying a single block. Some stand still (XXVI), some begin moving (XXIX), and others speed ahead full force (XXXI). Depicted on the following blocks is the procession of sacrifice, with thallophoroi carrying olive branches, musicians wielding citharas, skaphephoroi bearing offering trays, and animals accompanied by their herdsmen. The frieze of the Parthenon forms a continuous band with scenes in low relief that encircles the upper part of the cella within the outer colonnade. The theme represented is the procession toward the Acropolis during the Great Panathenaia, commemorating the birthday of goddess Athena.