The Elgin Affair : The True Story of the Greatest Theft in History

A New York Times Notable Book chronicling the nineteenth-century scandal of the Elgin Marbles, their removal from the Parthenon, and Lord Elgin's harrowing fate. As the Napoleonic Wars raged in the first years of the nineteenth-century, Scottish diplomat Lord Elgin committed one of the most notorious acts of art theft—or was it preservation?—in history. With the blessing of the Ottoman Porte, Elgin removed friezes, metopes and slabs from the Parthenon and other Ancient Greek sites and transported them from Athens to London. The collection, known as the Elgin Marbles, now occupies its own room in the British Museum and continues to stir controversy over what Lord Byron referred to as a disgraceful act of vandalism. In The Elgin Affair , Theodore Vrettos re-creates in full and colorful detail of Lord Elgin's exploits: a steamy tale of obsession, intrigue, adultery, imprisonment, and financial ruin. Along the way, he encounters some of the most famous names of nineteenth-century history, including Napoleon, Sultan Selim III, Lord Nelson, Lord Byron, and Keats. Drawing on original source material letters, diaries, official government reports, and memoranda, Vrettos offers "a vividly told story of greed, deceit, cunning, thievery, obsession, and astonishing cultural arrogance" (Tim O'Brien, author of The Things They Carried ). Every year, millions of people visit London's British Museum to admire the magnificent Greek sculptures that adorned the Parthenon in Athens for more than two thousand years. This compelling and controversial story of the Elgin Marbles (named for Thomas Bruce, seventh earl of Elgin, who stripped the Parthenon of these exquisite works in what has been called "the greatest art theft in history") re-creates in full and colorful detail a steamy tale of obsession, intrigue, adultery, and ruin. Drawing on original source material - letters, diaries, official government reports and memoranda, together with the full divorce proceedings of a scandalous adultery trial in Edinburgh - and on his earlier work on the subject, Vrettos brings brilliantly to life these fascinating events of history. Rounding out the story of the marbles, the author concludes with the latest battles between the Greek and English governments over the rightful ownership of these priceless treasures. Almost two hundred years after they were “purchased” from Greece, the finest and most famous marbles of antiquity still remain a burning issue. This compelling, controversial story of the Elgin marbles re-creates in full and colorful detail “the greatest art theft in history,” a steamy tale of obsession, intrigue, adultery, and ruin. As the British ambassador to the Sublime Porte in Constantinople, Lord Elgin encountered in his endeavors some of the most famous names of nineteenth-century history: Napoleon, Sultan Selim III, Lord Nelson, Lord Byron, and Keats. Drawing on original source material—letters, diaries, official government reports, and memoranda, Vrettos brilliantly brings to life these fascinating stories. Almost two hundred years after they were purchased from Greece, the finest and most famous marbles of antiquity still remain a burning issue. This title presents story of the Elgin marbles, the greatest art theft in history. Sicily -- Turkey -- Greece -- Constantinople -- Athens -- Paris -- Barèges -- Pau -- Scotland -- The Trial. Theodore Vrettos. Includes Bibliographical Referenecs (p. 223-228) And Index.