Stealing Athena: A Novel by Karen Essex

Lisa recommended this book and I REALLY loved it! It told the story of two women - Aspacia who lived in ancient Greece (when the Parthenon was built) and Mary Elgin who was the wife of the Constantinople ambassador in 1799 - 1803. The two stories were each woven around the creation of the great marble works as a tribute to the Greek Gods and then the eventual removal of them by the British Empire for "safe keeping."

I didn't realize that the book was a true story - apparently Lord Elgin was an ambassador who took his young wife to Constantinople with him as he attempted to sway the Turks against Napoleon. While cozying up with the Turks, Lord Elgin was also concentrating on removing the Greek antiques from Athens for "their own preservation" and for the cultural betterment of the British Empire. Despite his good intentions for the British Empire, they refused to assist financially in this excavation so the efforts to remove, transport and display these huge marble pieces nearly bankrupted Elgin (or rather his wife, if the book was accurate).

It is a worthwhile discussion on whether or not the works should ever have been removed. It was noted that they were in disrepair and the Turks were carelessly destroying them and they were suffering from the constant warfare; however, now that all is well, it does beg the question of why they haven't been returned to their original location. I also read an account that some of the pieces were actually destroyed in the removal process so that has been a source of controversy as well.

I liked the book itself for more than the historical intrigue but also because of the women portrayed. Both were smart, sassy women who were unwilling to conform to social conventions if it meant their own unhappiness. I was glad that though they both had the same inner-steel and resolve that the book didn't paint them as mirrors of each other - that they were both allowed their own unique views and values.