The Parthenon's Panathenaic Procession

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As a recurring ritual in the civic life of Athens, the Panathenaic Procession was an important way an Athenian citizen would understand their identity. The relief can be seen as an image of Athenian citizenship. The frieze focuses on the Athenian males. The only women, except for the goddesses on the east end, are the group of maidens. The males included cover a range of age from young men to the elders. This a testament to the patriarchal nature of the Athenian society. The Parthenon’s sculpture of Athena, created of gold and ivory, shows Athenian’s wealth and power. The inner Ionic frieze representing the Panathenaic Festival shows aristocratic politics, as only important Athenians and gods are shown, and not commoners. It elevates the body