Parthenon FriezeNorth XXI, 61-62

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The charioteer stands proudly on the diphron of his chariot, his feet firmly planted as he surveys the scene before him. The apobate beside him is a striking figure, dressed in a long chiton with straps tied securely across his chest to allow for maximum mobility. A shield is strapped to his back and he wears a cloak that hints at his spiritual role, identified as Erechtheus, the legendary founder of the chariot racing tradition. Next, the scene shifts to a block that has been lost over time but is believed to feature beautiful depictions of chariot horses. This section of the North frieze has been divided between two museums: the British Museum and the Acropolis museum, with each holding half of the total 58.70 meters in length. The procession begins at the northwest corner of the opisthonaos as a continuation of the west side's procession, running from block N XLVII to block N I. As the scene unfolds, it moves from quiet preparation to a thrilling gallop. The horsemen are grouped together in sets of seven or eight, their horses overlapping each other in a continuous flow that is only occasionally interrupted by a marshal standing tall on block XXXIV. Despite the repetition, variety is added through differences in clothing, stance and gesture among the most beautiful of the horsemen, as well as the occasional glimpse of someone turning back to look at something behind them. The Parthenon frieze wraps around the upper part of the cella within the outer colonnade, depicting a continuous band of low-relief scenes that tell the story of the procession towards the Acropolis during the Great Panathenaia, the grand celebration of Athena's birthday.