Elgin Marbles

by B.F. Cook

The Parthenon sculptures collected by Lord Elgin nearly 200 years ago rank amongst the highest achievements of mankind. Since they went on display in the British Museum in 1817, artists, scholars, poets and millions of visitors have stood before them in wonder. This book tells their story, beginning in the fifth century BC when the Parthenon was built in Athens. The author explains what the sculptures represent, who made them and how they fitted into the grand design of the temple. He describes their gradual destruction by religious zealots, beseiging Venetians and other vandals before Lord Elgin brought them to the safety of London.

Genres: Art, Reference, Nonfiction, History

72 pages, Paperback

First published December 12, 1984

Reviews

[Christine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Crossposted at Booklikes.

Rather interesting analysis of the marbles as well as a very brief history of their time
in the British Museum. The text is not too dull, and the chapters are nicely split.

[Lara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Almost no information on the Caryatids

[Sarah Coller · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots of info. Way lots. Like maybe too much info. My goal was to learn more about Lord Elgin and how he came to acquire the marbles. It finally got around to that... but first I had to learn about ev.er.y. single thing there ever is to know about 90,000 slabs of marble that look basically the same.

[Cora Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little dry, as such books can sometimes be. But there is a lot of information here, and a wealth of visuals (pictures, sketches, engravings) to complement it. Definitely worth a read!