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The Elgin Affair

The True Story of the Greatest Theft in History

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About this listen

This story of the Elgin marbles re-creates in full detail "the greatest art theft in history." Almost 200 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 19th-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.

©1977, 2011 Theodore Vrettos (P)2012 Audible, Inc. Ancient Art Europe Great Britain Greece Middle Ages Ancient History Ancient Greece

Editor reviews

Athens' historic Parthenon has survived burnings, bomb blasts, and careless tampering at the hands of invading armies, but the most substantial damage to this monument of antiquity was visited by a supposed scion of culture and civilization - the infamous British Lord of Elgin. Since the early 19th century, the Elgin Marbles - a fundamental symbol of Greek artistry and culture - have resided not in their intended home - Athens' Acropolis - but the British Museum. Sophisticated performer Gildart Jackson captures the outrage and entitlement of the clashing cultures behind this controversial art heist. Jackson's extensive experience in film and television is evident as he lends a distinct voice to each character in this historic cast, including Lord Byron, John Keats, and Napoleon Bonaparte.
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It was very interesting and has extended my interest in History. the reader was very good.

Very Interesting

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Extremely interesting account of the life of Lord Elgin, ambassador to Constantinople in the early 19th Century, and that of his young wife, both from a historical and human point of view. It is a salutary tale of Elgin’s obsession with transferring the marble friezes of the Parthenon to London, at whatever cost. The opposition to Elgin’s removal of the marbles in the UK, parliament’s resistance to the purchase of the marbles were all information I had never come across. This biography is beautifully read and a very interesting listen.

Extremely interesting & beautifully read

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Well worth your time! It’s not just about the Elgin marbles but about family, relationships commitment and life choices. Snapshot of real life of the past.

Brilliant

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Super bad luck story. Everything goes wrong for Elgin and I mean everything! The narrator is good but his Scottish accent is terrible… moral is No good deed goes unpunished…

Talk about bad luck…

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Author knows no history. Doesn’t realise “England” stopped being a sovereign state (ergo capable of beat war) in 1707! (United Kingdom from then till present!) I’m not going to waste my time on a book the writer has taken no care over. The narrator can’t pronounce French words.

First pages all I could manage.

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