Commentary Prepared by Dr. Julia Lenaghan, Ashmolean Museum

A 083
Chariot and Marshall (Slab 24 [18]); Parthenon Frieze North

Marble (Pentelic)
Frieze
W 121 cm

The slab belongs to the large section of the frieze removed by Lord Elgin in 1802 and was subsequently transferred to London.
United Kingdom, London, British Museum
High Classical, ca, 440-432 BC

Preservation:
Only the left original border of the slab is preserved, a large section on top and along the right side, and the upper left corner have broken away and are restored on the cast. The heads of all figures and most of the bodies of the two men on the right are missing. The surface in good condition, with chips on some of the hoofs and on the chariot wheel.

Description:
The slab depicts a chariot with two figures on it moving to the left and a standing figure in the central background facing to the right. Only three horses of the four-horse team are visible (the frontal part of the outer left and the entire outer right horse are on the next slab to the left). On the chariot are the remains of a figure wearing a chiton with long sleeves holding reins in his outstretched hands, behind him the lower right arm and leg of a second figure apparently getting on (or off) the chariot. In the centre stands a muscular man facing towards the oncoming chariot; he is draped in a himation that falls over his left shoulder and leaves the chest exposed.

Discussion:
This slab shows one of the chariot teams with apobatoi from the central part of the north frieze. Controlled by a charioteer in a long-sleeved chiton, the chariot races along while a hoplite, hanging on to the chariot case with on hand, is about to dismount (or mount) it. Behind them is a marshal, facing the advancing chariots further away. On the north frieze in general see A 81.

Bibliography:
F. Brommer, Der Parthenonfries (Mainz 1977) 41 pls. 75-77 A very detailed study of the Parthenon frieze including previous bibliography and ample photographic documentation.
I. Jenkins, The Parthenon Frieze (London 1994) 93 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) 83-84 pls. 62 Detailed study of the Parthenon frieze based on the reconstruction in the Basel cast collection, including an extensive bibliography.