Worshipping Athena, Attic Black-figure Band Cup
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Worshipping Athena
Attic black-figure band cup, c. 550 BCE. Private collection, London.
- The earliest and most complete procession to Athena appears on this black-figure band cup.
- To date it represents the closest parallel in vase-painting for the Parthenon frieze.
- At the far left Athena is only half preserved, but her shield and the snakes of her aegis secure her identification.
- Between her and the flaming altar stands a grown woman, presumably a priestess.
- She reaches for the hand of a cloaked man holding a branch who leads the procession.
- He his followed by a younger female kenephoros.
- The sacrificial victims compose the tritoia, better known in Roman art as the souvetaurelia: bull, sow, and sheep.
- The musicians are next, two pipe-players and a citharist.
- Three draped men carrying branches are followed by three hoplites, armed with helmets, shields, and spears.
- Among them is a draped male turned to the right, whom may be identified as a marshal, since he faces in the opposite direction.
- Finally, emerging from the handle is a horseman with a spear.
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