Youths- XXIII
The slab is dedicated to a young winner of the pirrycke dance, or pyrrhichios, contest of the Great Panathenaia. In the middle, a nude youth carrying a shield stands upright on the shoulders of another youth facing right. They are followed by a third, nude youth holding a shield and wearing a helmet, the crest of which billows behind.
The scene is from the pyrrhichios contest, and depicts the moment of victory for one of the contestants, shown here celebrating and standing on the shoulders of one of his companions. According to the inscription carved at the top, this dedication was erected by the choregos, a wealthy citizen of Athens who financed the organization of theatrical performances or games during festivals, after a contest in the Great Panathenaia, a festival held every four years:
… αις παίδων χορηγῶν
Παναθήναια τὰ Μεγάλα.
Part of another, obscure inscription is preserved on the right side of the slab:
… λληνε...
ἐν ἄστει...
ἐνίκα
᾿Αμύμω...
According to this, the same choregos seems to have won another victory, though this time at a different major festival, the urban or Great Dionysia.
Source: Kaltsas N., "Sculpture in the National Archaeologic Museum, Athens"
Pentelic marble stele
Height 33 cm., width 67 cm.
About 375 BC.
Athens, National Museum Inv. No. 3854
Youths- XXIII
The slab is dedicated to a young winner of the pirrycke dance, or pyrrhichios, contest of the Great Panathenaia. In the middle, a nude youth carrying a shield stands upright on the shoulders of another youth facing right. They are followed by a third, nude youth holding a shield and wearing a helmet, the crest of which billows behind.
The scene is from the pyrrhichios contest, and depicts the moment of victory for one of the contestants, shown here celebrating and standing on the shoulders of one of his companions. According to the inscription carved at the top, this dedication was erected by the choregos, a wealthy citizen of Athens who financed the organization of theatrical performances or games during festivals, after a contest in the Great Panathenaia, a festival held every four years:
… αις παίδων χορηγῶν
Παναθήναια τὰ Μεγάλα.
Part of another, obscure inscription is preserved on the right side of the slab:
… λληνε...
ἐν ἄστει...
ἐνίκα
᾿Αμύμω...
According to this, the same choregos seems to have won another victory, though this time at a different major festival, the urban or Great Dionysia.
Source: Kaltsas N., "Sculpture in the National Archaeologic Museum, Athens"
Pentelic marble stele
Height 33 cm., width 67 cm.
About 375 BC.
Athens, National Museum Inv. No. 3854