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Figure of Iris from the west pediment of the Parthenon
The Acropolis, Athens, Greece, about 438-432
BC
The west pediment of the Parthenon showed a local Athenian myth,
the contest between the goddess Athena and Poseidon, god
of the sea, for the land of Attica (the city of Athens and its
countryside). Athena and Poseidon were shown on a colossal scale at
the centre of the triangular composition, while other figures were
ranged on either side. These included two chariot groups, one for
each of the protagonists.
Both Athena and Poseidon were accompanied by divine messengers,
Athena by Hermes, Poseidon by Iris. She is shown as if just
alighting on the Acropolis. Her drapery is pressed flat against her
body and flutters out at the edges. It was held at the waist by a
bronze girdle, now missing. Her wings, also missing, were socketed
in to her shoulders at the back, where the joins would not have
been seen.
B.F. Cook, The Elgin Marbles, 2nd edition (London, The British Museum Press, 1997)