_British Museum, London_]
The Panathenaic procession is the subject carried the entire length of
this bas-relief decoration. On the portion running across one end were
depicted the scenes of preparation. Men are in the act of mounting their
horses, some having spirited animals to deal with, and all making ready
for the start. At the opposite end is the scene of the arrival at the
temple. Here sit the gods to receive the sacrifice, while the
magistrates stand ready to perform the rites, and maidens approach with
the vessels. On the two long sides the procession is seen actually in
motion. Here are represented all the figures which took part in such
occasions; old men and maidens, musicians, horsemen, charioteers, and
sacrificial animals, all moving forward on their way. Group follows
group, with that contrast and variety which give interest to a pageant,
and with the proper orderliness to give it unity.
Our panel shows us a line of horsemen riding four abreast. Though it is
broken and defaced, we catch at once the spirit of the work. The horses
are splendid animals; with dilated nostrils, and necks proudly arched,
they seem to prance to the music of the flutes. Though they are well
matched in size and type, no two are really alike. Every one has as
distinct a character as a human being, and lovers of horses might choose
each his own favorite from the four.
Only two of the riders fall within our range of vision. They are
handsome youths, with the perfectly formed head and finely cut profile
which we learn to recognize as the Greek ideal of beauty. The line
across forehead and nose is perfectly straight, and the line connecting
nose and chin forms a corresponding angle. Both faces bear the stamp of
refinement and high breeding which mark them as belonging to the class
of Athenian nobles.
Though the two youths have so similar a cast of countenance, they are
quite unlike in temperament. The farther one is of a somewhat dreamy,
poetic nature. He rides with bent head as if in a reverie. His companion
is of a sterner, more virile type. He looks straight before him, and
carries his head with a sense of the dignity of the occasion.
Both youths sit their horses as if born in the saddle. Horse and rider
are one, animated by a single dominant will. The Athenian youth were
trained from childhood in all sorts of manly exercise. The normal
development of the body was of first importance in the Greek educational
system. These young men are typical examples of the fine specimens of
manhood which that training produced.