DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.5253#0391
WEST PEDIMENT OF THE PARTHENON.
357
on each side ; but Poseidon's corresponding steeds were already gone, and they
must needs be supplied to counterpoise those of Athena's on the opposite side.
This would be required by the Greek sense of symmet-
rical composition, and harmonizes with the Homeric
pictures of the gods, as always attended by their char-
iots when going into conflict. Careful study on the .
part of Overbeck and Lange, in 1879, °f tne fragments
in London, and of casts from other fragments in Athens,
has finally decided the much-vexed question of Posei-
don's steeds.6?2 They were not semi-sea monsters, but
complete horses with four hoofs. Fragments of good
size, adapted to the wall of the pediment, were the
treasures which gave the key to this secret. Whether
Poseidon's salt-spring appearing at his feet was also
represented, and whether he was accompanied by an
upspringing horse, it is impossible to say with cer-
tainty. It is probable, however, that only the spring
was represented; since the space would hardly have
admitted a third horse in addition to the two of Posei-
don's chariot.6?3 Of the majestic, excited form of
Athena, which must have been well-nigh 3.35 meters
(eleven feet) high, the powerful shoulders, now in the f
British Museum, alone exist. These shoulders and full
form are clad in rich drapery, over which the cegis,
folded like a narrow band, passes obliquely across the
bosom, its lower edge scalloped, and having holes where
once bronze serpents' heads were doubtless attached.
How different this weapon on this majestic, threaten-
ing figure of the goddess from that worn by her in
early representations, where its ugly shape covers
much of her bosom, and all of her shoulders; and
even from the azgis on the shoulders of Pheidias' own
Athena Parthenos ! From a fragment of the neck re-
cently discovered, it is clear that Athena turned towards
her formidable antagonist; but, unhappily, no parts of
her head are preserved. A head of harsh archaic forms
and wiry hair, as though executed in bronze, was once
thought to belong to this figure, but has long since
been rejected ; as these pedimental sculptures are all
eminently true to the technique of marble, and without
a breath of archaic conventionalism or stiffness.
Just beyond Athena reared her steeds, impatient to
hi
^
-
357
on each side ; but Poseidon's corresponding steeds were already gone, and they
must needs be supplied to counterpoise those of Athena's on the opposite side.
This would be required by the Greek sense of symmet-
rical composition, and harmonizes with the Homeric
pictures of the gods, as always attended by their char-
iots when going into conflict. Careful study on the .
part of Overbeck and Lange, in 1879, °f tne fragments
in London, and of casts from other fragments in Athens,
has finally decided the much-vexed question of Posei-
don's steeds.6?2 They were not semi-sea monsters, but
complete horses with four hoofs. Fragments of good
size, adapted to the wall of the pediment, were the
treasures which gave the key to this secret. Whether
Poseidon's salt-spring appearing at his feet was also
represented, and whether he was accompanied by an
upspringing horse, it is impossible to say with cer-
tainty. It is probable, however, that only the spring
was represented; since the space would hardly have
admitted a third horse in addition to the two of Posei-
don's chariot.6?3 Of the majestic, excited form of
Athena, which must have been well-nigh 3.35 meters
(eleven feet) high, the powerful shoulders, now in the f
British Museum, alone exist. These shoulders and full
form are clad in rich drapery, over which the cegis,
folded like a narrow band, passes obliquely across the
bosom, its lower edge scalloped, and having holes where
once bronze serpents' heads were doubtless attached.
How different this weapon on this majestic, threaten-
ing figure of the goddess from that worn by her in
early representations, where its ugly shape covers
much of her bosom, and all of her shoulders; and
even from the azgis on the shoulders of Pheidias' own
Athena Parthenos ! From a fragment of the neck re-
cently discovered, it is clear that Athena turned towards
her formidable antagonist; but, unhappily, no parts of
her head are preserved. A head of harsh archaic forms
and wiry hair, as though executed in bronze, was once
thought to belong to this figure, but has long since
been rejected ; as these pedimental sculptures are all
eminently true to the technique of marble, and without
a breath of archaic conventionalism or stiffness.
Just beyond Athena reared her steeds, impatient to
hi
^
-