Page:Greek Buildings Represented by Fragments in the British Museum (1908).djvu/110

 94 THE PARTHENON AND ITS SCULPTURES. scene, exactly above the entrance door, can be best seen on Lucas's fine model in the Gallery. The middle figure of all is that of a priestess who is approached on her right by two female attendants bearing seats. On her left a man and a boy are folding a large square of cloth which we can see is doubled over and over again. As it is difficult to think that this can represent the delivery of the new Peplos — for the procession has not yet reached the temple — it seems more likely that the action is that of folding up the old one preparatory to replacing it.* (Fig. ^6?) The watching gods and waiting magistrates must mark the reception of the troop at the temple. On each side there are four magistrates standing nearest the centre, who are as yet Fig. 80. — Frieze : Diagram showing mass and background. unconscious of the approaching throng, and two who turn to- ward it. One of these, on the right, signals to the inner group. The identification of the gods has been discussed for a hundred years, but is now practically fixed. The assembly con- sists of twelve chief personages and two minor ones ("Iris and Eros), seven on each side. The first on the left is certainly Hermes, a youth nearly nude, leaning forward in eager attitude. (Fig- 73-) He is shod, and rests his characteristic hat on his knee, while a drilled hole shows that he held the caduceus, of bronze, in his hand. The last figure of this group (7) is also sure. It is Zeus enthroned and holding a sceptre in his right hand. In Mr G. F. Hill.
 * Since writing this I see that this explanation has been suo-gested by