Commentary Prepared by Dr. Julia Lenaghan, Ashmolean Museum

A 082 B
Horsemen (Slab 43 [38]); Parthenon Frieze North

Marble (Pentelic)
Frieze
W 122 cm

Both sides of the slab are preserved, the upper corners have broken off and are restored on the cast. The surface is in relatively good condition, the legs of most horses and the left arm of the horseman in the foreground are chipped.
United Kingdom, London, British Museum
High Classical, ca. 440-432 BC

Preservation:
Both sides of the slab are preserved, the upper corners have broken off and are restored on the cast. The surface is in relatively good condition, the legs of most horses and the left arm of the horseman in the foreground are chipped.

Description:
The slab shows parts of five horses organised in two different ranks of the cavalcade. Three horsemen are visible in the rank on the left; the one in the foreground wears only a chlamys that has slipped down from his shoulders as he has lifted his right arm up high, the one behind him chiton, chlamys and a fur cap (alopekis). The horseman closest to the relief ground on the outer left is dressed in a full set of chiton, cuirass, a chlamys draped over his left arm, a hoplite helmet and high boots (visible on the adjoining slab to the left). All horses are in gallop. To the right a small section of a horseman from a second rank wearing a short chiton and chlamys is visible, in front of him are the forelegs of a second horse.

Discussion:
The horsemen on the north frieze are organised into ten distinct ranks of varying depth. This number clearly reflects the reorganisation of the Athenian tribes (and cavalry units) after the reforms of Kleisthenes. This slab shows the transition between two of these ranks. The figure in the foreground marks the beginning of a new rank, partly overlapping two further figures that ride parallel to him and are represented to the left. The two innermost horses of a second rank are visible on the right. The great variety of the dress and poses is remarkable. The horsemen are represented as ideal, youthful figures symbolizing a model of Athenian society. Some scholars have connected the sombre expression of their faces to a ritual habit reserved for religious ceremonies and processions. On the north frieze in general see A 81.

Bibliography:
F. Brommer, Der Parthenonfries (Mainz 1977) 61-63 pls. 100.3-4; 101-102 A very detailed study of the Parthenon frieze including previous bibliography and ample photographic documentation.
I. Jenkins, The Parthenon Frieze (London 1994) 100-101 The latest official documentation of the frieze by the British Museum. Jenkins has renumbered some of the slabs and put them in a different order.
E. Berger and M. Gisler-Huwiler, Der Parthenon in Basel. Dokumentation zum Fries (Basel 1996) 101-102 pls. 76-77 Detailed study of the Parthenon frieze based on the reconstruction in the Basel cast collection, including an extensive bibliography.