Parthenon frieze

The frieze, originally comprised of 115 plaques (524 feet in length, 360 figures), represents the procession of the Great Panathenaia. Today they have survived 112 plaques (420 feet and 50 more are recorded in drawings, 60 figures are missing). The frieze height is 3 feet. The slabs are carved in low relief, 2-3 inches deep, but they give fully their sculptural value.
Parthenon is the only temple whose frieze depicts religious ceremony procession, the Great Panathenaia, the most ancient and important festival of Athenians, in honor of their patron deity Athena and it was dated from the times of Erichthonious, who was said to have erected Athena's wooden statue, though the name Panathenaia dates from the times of Theseus, the hero who united all Attica.
The Great Panathenaia were celebrated every four years at the month of Hecatombaion (end of July and beginning of August) and lasted more than eight days (the small Panathenaia were celebrated every year).
The procession was formed at the Dipylon gate and following the Panathenaic way, which was crossing the Agora, ended in Acropolis.
It was followed by the delivery of Peplos by a maiden to the archon king and delivery of two difroi (stools) by another maiden to the priestess. Sacrifice of a hundred oxen (Hecatombaion) and feast followed.
The grand procession was taking place at the 28th day of Hecatombaion which was the birthday of Athena and the Peplos, the woven garment made by the maidens and matrons of Attica the previous nine months, and which was depicting the battle of Gods and Giants, was carried as a sail of a wheeled ship.
In front marched the priests and their attendants, then the sacrificial animals, followed by the matrons and maidens bearing baskets with sacrificial objects, old men after keeping in their hands olive branches symbol of intelligence, ability and valor, followed by armed warriors in perfect order and behind them youth with arms, then came the cavalry and the victors of the Panathenaic contest and men of the various embassies and alien residents of Athens. After them followed men and women carrying sacrificial cakes, water pots, stools, etc.