Marble relief (block II)

Marble relief (block II)

Marble relief (Block II) from the West frieze of the Parthenon. The frieze shows the procession of the Panathenaic festival, the commemoration of the birthday of the goddess Athena. Here two horsemen are shown reining back their horses. The leading horseman turns round to look back at his companion, while raising his left hand to his head. He wears a cloak that is pulled close against his neck, while billowing out to the side. Holes in his hair probably once served for the insertion of a metal wreath. The other horseman wears a chlamys. The horses are pierced with drill-holes where metal reins were inserted.