'Hydria-bearers' from the Parthenon frieze
This characteristic scene from the Panathenaic procession is part of the north frieze of the Parthenon. This slab (#VI) depicts three youths bearing hydriai (water jars) on their shoulders. They are followed at the right end by a fourth youth, who reaches down to lift his hydria, and by an flute player, who headed a group of musicians. The first three youths, executed in higher relief than the fourth, wear long himatia, that leave one shoulder and part of the chest bare, as they move solemnly towards the left. The general uniformity of the scene is broken by slight variations in the folds of the garments, the position of the heads and the youths' gestures. The exquisite treatment of the faces make this an exceptional example of a Classical Greek relief. It is attributed to Pheidias, who masterminded the entire decorative program of the Parthenon.