On the left of slab xxii. is a chariot with the charioteer (No.
48) and apobates (No. 49) who is stepping into the chariot. On the
right of this slab is an attendant (No. 50) standing at the heads
of the horses of the last chariot group. The lower fragments of
this slab are at Athens. The left-hand upper corner, which was
wanting in the time of Stuart, was brought home by Lord Elgin.
The upper fragment next to it, was once in the possession of the
Society of Dilettanti, and was presented by that body. It had
probably been brought from Athens by Chandler.
Stuart, 2nd ed., II., p. 50, note C.
[Rightnote: XXIII.]
[Sidenote: 52.]
The chariot group represented on slabs xxii., xxiii. is
represented as standing still, and was probably the last chariot
in the procession. This slab is shorter than any of the others
representing chariot groups. Part of the head of the apobates (No.
52) is supplied in plaster from the original fragment at Athens.
A fragment of an apobates, which may well belong to the figure
No. 52, has recently been fitted to the left of slab xxiv., thus
proving that No. xxiv. is the first slab of the cavalry, and
making it very probable that No. xxiii. is the last slab of
the chariots. This fragment, incorrectly drawn, is assigned by
Michaelis to slab xxviii. of the south side.
[Rightnote: XXIV.-XLII.]
[Sidenote: 54-109.]
From this point to the north-west angle of the frieze we have a
continuous procession of Athenian cavalry. The horsemen advance
in a loose throng, in which no division into ranks or troops, nor
indeed any settled order, can be made out. The groups, being very
crowded, are carried on from slab to slab continuously, so that
the vertical lines of the joints intersect the figures, while
on the western frieze, on the contrary, the groups, being more
scattered, are always completed on single slabs. The general
effect of a body of horse in rapid movement is admirably rendered
in the composition of the northern frieze, and is particularly
fine in slabs xxx.-xlii., in which the effect has not been marred
by mutilation. Though the entire composition is pervaded by the
same general motion, a wonderful fertility of invention is shown
in the arrangement of the successive groups. In the one hundred
and twenty-five mounted figures in this cavalcade we do not find
one single monotonous repetition.
Though the horses bound along with a fiery impatience, which
seems at every moment ready to break loose from all control, these
irregular movements never disturb the even hand and well-assured
seat of the riders. Thus, as the cavalcade dashes along like a
torrent, a rhythmical effect is produced by the contrast of the
impetuous horses and their calm, steadfast riders.
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