Deel van het fries van het Parthenon in Athene, afgebeeld twee ruiters before 1868

This is a photograph by G. Arosa et Cie, depicting a section of the Parthenon frieze in Athens, showing two riders. The original sculptures were made in ancient Greece and were part of a larger decorative program celebrating the goddess Athena and the city's power. This image reflects the 19th-century fascination with classical antiquity. The riders are depicted as idealized, athletic, male figures, embodying notions of heroism and civic duty central to the Athenian identity. Horses have historically been symbols of wealth and status, in this relief, the riders' control over them suggests authority and command, and the gendered politics of power in ancient Greece. This image reminds us of how classical ideals have been used and reinterpreted throughout history to serve various cultural and political agendas. It encourages us to reflect on how these ancient stories continue to shape our understanding of beauty, power, and identity.