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The Parthenon Frieze. Block E VIII
Image
In contrast to the left part of the east frieze, on the north part there are seventeen figures of the procession (47-63): the two figures on block VI described above (47, 48) and fifteen (49-62) on blocks VII-IX. Whereas on the south part of the east frieze there is a teletarch and sixteen maidens, on the north there are thirteen maidens and four teletarches who have been identified as the eponymous heroes of the four pre-Kleisthenic tribes. One of these figures (49) holds with both hands a kanoun, a reed bread-basket, evidently for sacrificial objects being brought by the two girls (50 and 51). They are followed by another pair of girls (53 and 54) who hold nothing and are probably ergastinai (weavers of the peplos) or kanephoroi (basket-carriers). All four are clad in peplos, himation and sandals.The teletarch (52), in 3/4 view toward the right, holds an object of some sort in his lowered right hand, while pointing with his left hand he appears to be giving an order to the two maidens standing before him (53 and 54). The next maiden (55) holds an omphalos phiale (shallow bowl with omphalos in centre) in her right hand, as do the four last figures of blocks VIII (60 and 61) and IX (62 and 63). The maiden (56) who follows turns toward the next maiden (57) standing a bit apart from her, in order with her left hand to help her to carry the thymiaterion (incense burner). The girls (58 and 59) are carrying two oinochoai. Block VII was found in an excavation east of the Parthenon by the French consul in Athens, L. S. Fauvel and around 1818-1820 it was restored by the sculptor B. Lange. This must have been the time when the heads of the figures were drastically cut.


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Frieze Side
East Frieze
Subject Category
Sacrificial procession
Source
Acropolis Restoration Service
Type
Sculpture
Format
image/jpeg
Format
Pentelic marble
Figures
E 57, E 58, E 59, E 60, E 61
Museum
British Museum

Acropolis Museum
Stone Number
E VIII