Continuation of scene
Height: 100.000 cm
Elgin Collection
GR East Frieze V, 28-30
Room 18: Greece: Parthenon
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7 minutes, 2 seconds
Central scene of the east frieze of the Parthenon
The Acropolis, Athens, Greece, about 438-432 BC
The sacred robe of Athena held up by cult officials, and Athena and Hephaistos
The procession pictured in the Ionic frieze of the Parthenon culminates on the east side of the building. Above the porch columns, at the approach to the great doorway, was placed an unusually long block of stone carved with a scene showing a folded cloth. This is thought to be the sacred robe or peplos of Athena that was escorted to the Acropolis by the procession of the Great Panathenaic Festival, held in Athens every four years. The robe was escorted through the city on a ship that moved on wooden rollers. Once on the Acropolis the peplos was dedicated to the ancient olive wood statue of Athena Polias ('guardian of the city').
Here, on the left, a bearded man, draped in the long tunic typical of a priest performing a sacrifice, faces a child. Together they hold the folded garment. To the right, Athena is seated on a stool, while Hephaistos, the smith of the gods, turns towards her.
Watch a video about the Parthenon Sculptures
I. Jenkins, The Parthenon Frieze (London, The British Museum Press, 1994)
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The story of the Parthenon Sculptures in the British Museum, £8.99