MARBLE Block XXIV: Parthenon NOrth frieze

Marble relief (Block XXIV) from the North frieze of the Parthenon. The frieze shows the procession of the Panathenaic festival, the commemoration of the birthday of the goddess Athena.

This block survives as the representation of a chariot, a foot-soldier and a marshal. A team of horses pull a chariot-carriage. The chariot is being reined back and we feel the concentration of energy in the complex gathering of the horses’ rear legs. It is not clear from the remains of the foot soldier if he is slipping from the carriage or climbing into it, as his hand grips the hand rail of the chariot carriage. Meanwhile the charioteer stands with his hands extended to hold the reins. On the far side stands a marshal facing the direction of traffic.