The Elgin Affair

the long version

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.