During the 17th Century Venetian expedition against the Turks whohad occupied Athens, a French artillery officer serving with theVenetians decided to show his marksmanship by lobbing a shellthrough the roof of the Parthenon. It hit a Turkish gunpowdermagazine inside and collapsed the roof and some walls, so he wouldbe a contender.
A second raid was British collector Lord Elgin who, with Turkishpermission, took much of the statuary, most of which was lyinguntended on the ground, back to England. At least that was properlystored and displayed, and is in reasonable condition, called theElgin Marbles.
The other enemy was Greek neglect. They allowed the buildings andstatuary to deteriorate and through the middle of the 20th Century,the acid rain generated by the city ate away the marble statues ofthe Caryatids and facades. In a later belated recovery effort thestatues were moved into store rooms, and then replaced by copieswhich had to be made from the Elgin Marbles.
Pick which you think was the biggest villain. Elgin at least actedconstuctively and the British Museum carefully protected them. TheFrenchman and the Greek governmant run neck and neck.
A second raid was British collector Lord Elgin who, with Turkishpermission, took much of the statuary, most of which was lyinguntended on the ground, back to England. At least that was properlystored and displayed, and is in reasonable condition, called theElgin Marbles.
The other enemy was Greek neglect. They allowed the buildings andstatuary to deteriorate and through the middle of the 20th Century,the acid rain generated by the city ate away the marble statues ofthe Caryatids and facades. In a later belated recovery effort thestatues were moved into store rooms, and then replaced by copieswhich had to be made from the Elgin Marbles.
Pick which you think was the biggest villain. Elgin at least actedconstuctively and the British Museum carefully protected them. TheFrenchman and the Greek governmant run neck and neck.
