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What event is shown on the Parthenon’s interior frieze?

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The interior frieze of the Parthenon depicts the ritual procession of the Panathenaic Festival, an ancient Athenian celebration held to honor the goddess Athena.12

The continuous low-relief sculpture, which wraps around the top of the exterior cella wall, illustrates the progression of the event:2

  • West End: The scene begins with officials, citizens, and young men preparing to mount their horses.2
  • Progression: The procession gains momentum, featuring a cavalcade of horses at a gallop.2
  • East End: The frieze culminates with a priest and priestess of Athena, who are flanked by two groups of seated gods.2

This work is widely considered a masterpiece of Classical architecture and Greek sculpture, noted for its rhythmic design and clarity.12