Parthenon Frieze _ WXII, 22-24

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Since its removal from the monument in 1993 , the west frieze has been safely stored in the Acropolis Museum, while blocks I and II reside in the British Museum. The west frieze is comprised of sixteen blocks averaging 1.40 m. in length, with blocks I and XVI standing at only 0.60 m. due to their role as narrow sides of the north and south sides' west blocks, N XLVII and S I respectively. The frieze vividly depicts the preparation for the Panathenaic procession of horsemen in the Kerameikos. Each block features one to three figures at most, along with up to two horses. Throughout the composition, individuals standing still serve as central axes, while blocks with quiet scenes are interspersed with those showcasing action-packed scenes. The clothing of the horsemen exhibits a great deal of variety. Some have interpreted this diversity in attire as a means of distinguishing between Attica's 10 or 4 tribes. Riders appear nude, wearing short belted chitons or exomises, others donning chlamyses and petasoi (wide-brimmed hats); still, some wear cuirasses and helmets, while the garb of other Greek regions like Macedonia or Thrace is also evident - coarse cloth chitons and chlamyses, boots, and fox-skin caps. Metallic decorations such as weapons and horse bridles were applied using bronze.