The Rearing Steed

Description

This fragment is part of the Panathenaic Procession frieze that originally encircled the cella (the most sacred part) of the Parthenon Temple atop the Acropolis of Athens. The frieze was 500 feet long and 3 feet high. The greater part of that frieze is now in the British Museum in London. The sculpture was done under the supervision of the great sculptor Phidias and is generally revered as the climax in ancient Greek art. In this procession of the Athenian people the troops of horsemen show their pride and joy in horsemanship and are a tribute to the breeding of fine horses. In this fragment of the frieze we see a single horseman who holds his spirited steed in check while he prepares to mount. The body of the horse is shown smaller than nature. The entire scene is filled with action and movement. The horseman wears a Thracian fox-skin and a chiton, fastened only at the shoulder. His head is partially destroyed.