Helios, in his chariot emerging from the waves. The head is wanting,
the neck has a forward inclination corresponding with the action of
the arms, which are stretched out in front of the body, holding the
reins by which the upspringing horses of the Sun-god were guided
and controlled. The head of Helios had been already broken away in
Carrey's time; the wrist and hand of the right arm, now wanting, are
shown in his drawing. The surface of the marble on the neck having
been protected from weather by the cornice retains its original
polish. At the back and between the arms are sculptured small rippling
waves to represent a calm sea at sunrise. These waves are treated in
the conventional manner usual in representations of water in Greek
art; their profile shown on the edge of the plinth approximates very
nearly to the well-known wave pattern. The metal reins have been
attached to the upper surface of the plinth under the right forearm,
and also under the right hand, now lost; three dowel holes in this
part of the plinth served for their attachment. The waves were
probably distinguished by colour. It has been noted by Michaelis that
the angle in which this figure was placed is the darkest spot in the
eastern pediment, and that it is only fully illumined by the early
morning sun.
_Mus. Marbles_, VI., pl. 1; Michaelis, pl. 6, fig. 8; Overbeck,
I., p. 303, fig. 61 (with B, C).
[Sidenote: =303 B, C.=]
Two horses of Helios. The team of Helios was represented by four
horses' heads, two of which still remain in position on the temple, at
the back of the pediment. The two which are here are sculptured in the
round out of one block of marble. They are represented emerging from
the waves, the profile of which is sculptured in relief on the neck
of the nearest horse. The head of the horse nearest the eye (B)
looks outwards, and has projected beyond the plane of the pedimental
cornice, so that it must have caught the light. The action of this
horse's head is most spirited, though its effect is greatly impaired
by the loss of the lower jaw, and the injury which the surface of the
marble has received from exposure to the weather. The reins were of
metal, and the points of attachment of reins and bridle are marked by
three dowel holes in the plinth, a fourth behind the right ear, and a
fifth inside the mouth. The head of the other horse on this block (C),
which was advanced beyond the outside head, so as to be visible, is
nearly destroyed; only the neck and back of the head remain.
_Mus. Marbles_, VI., pl. 2; Michaelis, pl. 6, fig. 9;
_Stereoscopic_, No. 105. For the two heads still on the pediment,
see _Athenische Mittheilungen_, XVI., p. 81.
[Sidenote: =303 D.=]
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