DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.973#0039
EASTERN PEDIMENT OF PARTHENON. 31
K. Mus. Marbles, VI., pi. 10 ; Michaelis, pi. 6, fig. 15; Murray, II.,
pi. 7; Mitchell, Selections, pi. 6 ; Stereoscopic, No. 108 ; Brunn,
Denhnaeler, No. 186; Collignon, II., pi. 3.
\. M. Mus. Marbles, VI., pi. 11; Baumeister, Denhnaeler, p. 1184,
fig. 1374; Michaelis, pi. 6, fig. 16 ; Murray, II., pi. 7 ; Stereo-
scopic, No. 108; Brunn, Denhnaeler, No. 186 ; Collignon, II.,
pi. 3; Waldstein, Essays, pi. 8 ; Mitchell, Selections, pi. 6.
303 N. (Plate VI.) Selene.—It has been already stated that the
horse's head in the right-hand angle of the pediment belongs
to the Goddess of the Moon, who is represented by the torso
oast in plaster (N) which stands next to it. The original
of this torso, now at Athens, was discovered in 1840 on the
east side of the Parthenon. The arms and head are
wanting, the body is cut off below the waist, as only the
upper part of the figure was shown on the pediment. The
dress is a sleeveless chiton girt at the waist and fastened
on each shoulder. The bosom is crossed diagonally by
two bands which pass round to the back. Two large
dowel holes in the girdle and two others on the shoulders
mark where metallic ornaments have been attached. On
the back is a remnant of drapery extending from shoulder
to shoulder; this is probably part of a peplos, the ends of
which may have fallen over the arms.
That Selene was driving a chariot lias been conclusively
proved by Sauer, who found the heads of two horses still
in position on the pediment, and indications of a fourth
head now lost. A theory recently suggested that Selene
rides a single horse is thereby rendered untenable.
The figure here called Selene has been named by
Visconti and many of his successors Night, and it is
worth notice that the birthday of the goddess was two
days before the new moon, whereas a simultaneous sun-
rise and moonset would imply a full moon. It is unsafe,
however, to press an astronomical objection very far.
The figures which have been identified with most prob-
K. Mus. Marbles, VI., pi. 10 ; Michaelis, pi. 6, fig. 15; Murray, II.,
pi. 7; Mitchell, Selections, pi. 6 ; Stereoscopic, No. 108 ; Brunn,
Denhnaeler, No. 186; Collignon, II., pi. 3.
\. M. Mus. Marbles, VI., pi. 11; Baumeister, Denhnaeler, p. 1184,
fig. 1374; Michaelis, pi. 6, fig. 16 ; Murray, II., pi. 7 ; Stereo-
scopic, No. 108; Brunn, Denhnaeler, No. 186 ; Collignon, II.,
pi. 3; Waldstein, Essays, pi. 8 ; Mitchell, Selections, pi. 6.
303 N. (Plate VI.) Selene.—It has been already stated that the
horse's head in the right-hand angle of the pediment belongs
to the Goddess of the Moon, who is represented by the torso
oast in plaster (N) which stands next to it. The original
of this torso, now at Athens, was discovered in 1840 on the
east side of the Parthenon. The arms and head are
wanting, the body is cut off below the waist, as only the
upper part of the figure was shown on the pediment. The
dress is a sleeveless chiton girt at the waist and fastened
on each shoulder. The bosom is crossed diagonally by
two bands which pass round to the back. Two large
dowel holes in the girdle and two others on the shoulders
mark where metallic ornaments have been attached. On
the back is a remnant of drapery extending from shoulder
to shoulder; this is probably part of a peplos, the ends of
which may have fallen over the arms.
That Selene was driving a chariot lias been conclusively
proved by Sauer, who found the heads of two horses still
in position on the pediment, and indications of a fourth
head now lost. A theory recently suggested that Selene
rides a single horse is thereby rendered untenable.
The figure here called Selene has been named by
Visconti and many of his successors Night, and it is
worth notice that the birthday of the goddess was two
days before the new moon, whereas a simultaneous sun-
rise and moonset would imply a full moon. It is unsafe,
however, to press an astronomical objection very far.
The figures which have been identified with most prob-