The west pediment of the Parthenon

_8012090 [The west pediment of the Parthenon]

The themes of both east and west pediment representations on the Parthenon derive from the Greek mythology. On the west pediment specifically, representations depict Athena and Poseidon at the center of the composition competing with each other to become the patron of the city. Poseidon has just struck the earth with his trident and produced a spring of water for the city, while Athena did the same with her spear and produced a live olive tree. Poseidon - feeling defeated - appears to be retreating in fright. On both sides of the contestants, the horses that pulled the contestants’ chariots stood on their hind legs also frightened by what was happening. The composition is completed to the corners with other personalities from the Greek mythology.

Photographed in the Acropolis Museum in Athens on January 30, 2014
and then
heavily processed in software to eliminate unpleasant window reflections
and to give prominence to the figures.


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