96 THE PARTHENON AND ITS SCULPTURES. a spear of bronze, the holes for attaching which occur in a straight line slanting across her body. Around her left wrist is a snake which it has been said was merely a bracelet. If it is a bracelet (Fig. 78), there cannot be a doubt, I think, that this snake was thought of as alive or at least as significant of Athena. The arrangement is not stiff enough to represent metal, and the great gold and ivory statue in the interior of the temple had, besides the snakes of the aegis, others around both wrists, and still others knotted around the waist.* This slim, dignified, girlish figure is exquisitely imagined. The head is boyish in its simplicity. The bearded god in conversation with her (9) is probably Hephaistos. (Fig. 75.) " It is supposed that his lame- ness may be indicated by the awkward pose of his right foot and by the staff on which he leans." I cannot see anything awkward in the foot, but the staff may serve to indicate the lame god. The last chief figure on the right (13) with Eros (14) beyond her, must, all agree, be Aphrodite. We now have three figures remaining between Hephaistos and Aphrodite. The bearded male figure (10) must be Poseidon, the only suitable name which remains. In his lifted hand he may have held a trident. The younger, radiant-faced god (11) must be Apollo (Fig. 79), and the goddess next to him (12) is probably Artemis, the most important name which remains, although she is often called Peitho, from her close association with Aphrodite. Apollo seems to have had a wreath. The identification of this assembly of gods has taken a hundred years of discussion, but, after every possible combina- tion has been suggested, it is now practically decided. These attributions were made in the following order: — Stuart, 1789 : S> Iris; 6, Hera; 9, Poseidon. Visconti : 3, Demeter ; 7, Zeus. Fig. 82. — Frieze : Sculpture and Joints.
- The bracelet idea seems now to be given up, and it is said that she
holds her a;gis under her left hand. This is very doubtful ; all that can be said with certainty is that serpents play about her hand.
