DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.15098#0094
72
bore an ox and his conductor,4 and formed the extremity of the
northern side of the frieze. Immediately after the bearers of the
utensils used in the sacrificial ceremonies, followed the victims
with their conductors. Of this part of the procession we have not a
single fragment taken from the south side of the temple, but we
shall have to notice some when we come to describe the
slabs which once decorated the north side. One fragment of this
portion of the frieze was remaining in Stuart's time, and is en-
graved in his vol. ii. ch. i. pi. xxi. He states that there was
a great chasm between this fragment and the three basket bearers
which he engraves on the same plate. It was part of the northern
face of the stone at the northeast angle of the frieze; the next slab
has been since discovered amongst the fallen ruins of this side of the
temple ; and it appears from Carrey's drawings that there were two
slabs, representing victims, intervening between the last discovered
slab and the basket bearers. The victims sacrificed upon this
occasion were oxen, which were provided for the purpose by
the different cities of Attica and its colonies, each of which
sent one. After the sacred ceremonies had been performed,
the flesh of the animals was employed in providing a feast
for the people, and, if we are to rely upon the ancient satyrists,
the supply of provisions was ample, the appetites of the people
good, and the result repletion.5 Means for satisfying thirst, as
well as hunger, seem to have been provided in equal profusion,
and it is to be feared that this solemn festival terminated in a
revelry not very accordant with the gravity and decorum with
which it had commenced.6
Next after the train of victims and their conductors is a
magistrate or officer, turned towards the advancing procession
in order to give instructions to the course of proceeding; the
fragment of drapery, which appears at the left of the detached
4 Stuart's Athens, vol. ii. pi. xxx. 5 Meursius, c. xv. 6 Athenseus, lib. xi.
bore an ox and his conductor,4 and formed the extremity of the
northern side of the frieze. Immediately after the bearers of the
utensils used in the sacrificial ceremonies, followed the victims
with their conductors. Of this part of the procession we have not a
single fragment taken from the south side of the temple, but we
shall have to notice some when we come to describe the
slabs which once decorated the north side. One fragment of this
portion of the frieze was remaining in Stuart's time, and is en-
graved in his vol. ii. ch. i. pi. xxi. He states that there was
a great chasm between this fragment and the three basket bearers
which he engraves on the same plate. It was part of the northern
face of the stone at the northeast angle of the frieze; the next slab
has been since discovered amongst the fallen ruins of this side of the
temple ; and it appears from Carrey's drawings that there were two
slabs, representing victims, intervening between the last discovered
slab and the basket bearers. The victims sacrificed upon this
occasion were oxen, which were provided for the purpose by
the different cities of Attica and its colonies, each of which
sent one. After the sacred ceremonies had been performed,
the flesh of the animals was employed in providing a feast
for the people, and, if we are to rely upon the ancient satyrists,
the supply of provisions was ample, the appetites of the people
good, and the result repletion.5 Means for satisfying thirst, as
well as hunger, seem to have been provided in equal profusion,
and it is to be feared that this solemn festival terminated in a
revelry not very accordant with the gravity and decorum with
which it had commenced.6
Next after the train of victims and their conductors is a
magistrate or officer, turned towards the advancing procession
in order to give instructions to the course of proceeding; the
fragment of drapery, which appears at the left of the detached
4 Stuart's Athens, vol. ii. pi. xxx. 5 Meursius, c. xv. 6 Athenseus, lib. xi.