Parthenon Frieze _ West XIII, 25

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The west frieze has been safely housed at the Acropolis Museum since its removal from the monument in 1993, with blocks I and II instead being preserved in the British Museum. The frieze itself is comprised of sixteen blocks that average 1.40 meters in length, although blocks I and XVI are significantly shorter at 0.60 meters due to their narrow dimensions as the west sides of the north and south sections, N XLVII and S I respectively. The west frieze vividly captures the scene of horsemen preparing for the Panathenaic procession in Kerameikos, with each block featuring one to three figures at most, along with up to two horses. At regular intervals, individuals stand still, serving as focal points that anchor the entire composition on this side. To add visual interest, blocks with calm scenes are alternated with those depicting action-packed moments. The horsemen's attire also showcases remarkable variety, which has led some to speculate that it might be used to distinguish between Attica's 10 or 4 tribes. Some riders appear nude, while others wear a short belted chiton or exomis, the chlamys and petasos, cuirass and helmet, or even garb from other Greek regions such as Macedonia or Thrace, including coarse cloth chitons and chlamyses, boots, and fox-skin caps (alopeke). The horses' bridles are adorned with bronze attachments, as are the riders' weapons.