Parthenon Frieze _ South XVIII,47-49

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The southern segment of the frieze remains partially intact and has suffered significantly due to the devastating explosion that ravaged the Parthenon in 1687 . Consequently, the sequence from block XX onward is uncertain. Despite this challenge, the Carrey drawings provide valuable insight into the missing sections, enabling us to locate several existing fragments. The original length of the frieze along the south side was approximately 58.70 meters, composed of forty-seven blocks. Some blocks are exhibited in the Acropolis Museum, while others reside in the British Museum. Each block measures an average width of 1.22 meters. Although the overall craftsmanship is noticeably less refined compared to the north frieze, certain scenes stand out as masterpieces (blocks III, X, XI, XXVI, XXXI, and XLIV). The procession commences at the west corner and progresses towards the right. Unlike the north frieze, this section lacks the diversity of pose, garment, and movement among figures and animals. Riders move in a straight line, gazing directly ahead, except for a single instance on block V, where rider 13 diverges from this pattern. The varied depiction of horses' trimmed manes reflects their speed. As with the north frieze, three distinct sections are evident: horsemen, chariots, and sacrificial procession. It is plausible that the arrangement of horsemen in the procession adhered to tribal divisions, mirroring the Athenian state's organizational structure. The variation in garments supports this interpretation, as ten groups of six riders each can be discerned. The first group (2-7) wears a fox-hide cap, short chiton, chlamys, and boots; the second group (8-13) dons only chlamys; the third group (14-19) sports a short cuirass over a short chiton and boots; the fourth group (20-25) is clad in short chiton and chlamys; the fifth (26-31) wears an anatomical cuirass over a short chiton and boots; the sixth group (32-37) wears a fox-skin cap, short chiton, and a cuirass with flaps, along with boots. The seventh group (38-43) dons a helmet of Athenian type, short chiton, chlamys, and boots, while the eighth group (44-49) wears chlamys over a short chiton and boots. The riders in the ninth group (50-55) are clad in petasos, short chiton, chlamys, and boots; finally, the tenth group comprises horsemen (56-61) wearing short chiton and boots. Following this is the procession of chariots, which has been significantly damaged due to the 1687 explosion, resulting in only interrupted stretches being preserved. Five blocks are entirely missing. Ten chariots participate in the procession, with each taking up a single block. Some stand still (XXVI), some start (XXIX), and others move at full speed ahead (XXXI). Depicted on the subsequent blocks is the sacrificial procession, which involves thallophoroi carrying olive branches, musicians playing citharas, skaphephoroi bearing offering trays, and animals accompanied by their herdsmen. The Parthenon's frieze 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.