Menu

Wananga landing Wananga landing

Plaster cast of an apobates contest

20 November 2023

After an original statue base in the Athens Acropolis Museum (Inv.1326), from the Acropolis, ca 300 BCE
Purchased, 1989
H 42cm, W 86cm
JLMC CC35

HOW TO APPLY

Athena, patron goddess of the city of Athens, was also known as Athena Hippia and inventor of the bridle, the protector of horse riders and equestrian pursuits. Athenian citizens could compete in races at the Panathenaic games held annually in honour of Athena; every fourth year the contests were open to all Greeks. One of the prominent sports featured was chariot racing.

This plaster cast is a copy of the decoration on a marble statue base found on the Acropolis in Athens, which shows a horse and chariot driver. They are competing in an apobates contest in which chariots were drawn by teams of four horses, driven by a charioteer and carried an armed warrior.

As the chariot raced along the course of approximately 700 metres, the warrior had to dismount periodically, run alongside and then remount, before finally jumping off to dash for the finish line.


Plaster cast of an apobates contest
Privacy Preferences

By clicking "Accept All Cookies", you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyse site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts.