Unmounted youths preparing for the cavalcade (Parthenon)

This is an ancient marble relief from the north frieze of the Parthenon depicting unmounted youth preparing for the cavalcade. One youth restrains his rearing horse, which longs to join the cavalcade ahead. Anticipation and excitement run through their bodies, tense with nervous energy. The youth's arm is raised to his head in a gesture that was part of a sign language the ancient Greek used when the noise of the cavalcade made words inaudible. The youth glances back at his companion, who looks down, caught in a moment of quiet reflection. Throughout the Parthenon frieze, a figure's mood is suggested by the position of the head rather than the facial expression.本件为帕特农神庙（Parthenon）北侧檐壁的古代大理石浮雕，刻画了整装待发参与马队游行的青年群体。其中一名青年正牵住那匹尥蹶子、急于加入前方游行队伍的骏马。期待与亢奋充溢于二人周身，紧绷的躯体满溢着躁动的活力。这名青年将手臂抬至头部，这一手势是古希腊在游行喧闹导致人声无法听闻时所使用的手语之一。青年回首望向身旁的同伴，对方正垂首凝神，陷入片刻的沉静思索。帕特农神庙檐壁的创作惯例中，人物的情绪并非通过面部表情，而是依靠头部姿态来传递。