2004-02-01 The beauty of the Parthenon -- and how it was trashed

The sun had risen just enough to light the Parthenon. For a moment or so it floated; the Acropolis could have been a cloud
with the Parthenon as a vision of the front door to the home of the gods. It was a perfect metaphor for the reputation of ancient
Athens as a city committed to beauty, elegance, grace and the sensitivity to express artistic values.

Mary Beard has done a superb job in this concise and poignant history, undoubtedly the finest structure of its kind in the
world. The ancients didn't consider it one of the Seven Wonders of the World, they seem to have based their values on
volume instead of quality. Perhaps the Parthenon, even today in its ruined state, should be considered first among the Seven
Beauties of the World.

Her book is a treasure for anyone who has visited the Acropolis; it is essential for anyone who plans to visit Athens and do
more than drink ouzo in some seedy taverna. It's more than a bare-bones history; she recounts the scandals in getting it built,
and the subsequent sins of omission and commission during the past 20 centuries during which this gem was defaced.

Maybe my view is warped because of my first magic view; however, I still regard it as a gift of the gods which mortal humans
have spoiled. Beard doesn't offer any such speculation; instead, she does offer a nuts-and-bolts history of this gem from the
past. That is the strength of her book, she ignores the nonsense and concentrates on facts.

It is also the weakness, in my view. The history is brief but fascinating, but she doesn't understand the psychic importance of
Athena to the Athenians. For a comparison, think of the 'Liberty Enlightening the World' statue in New York harbour and its
significance to all Americans, whether they have seen it or not. Both statues embody the ideals of the society in which they are
displayed; I suggest when you read this book, to keep this comparison in mind to get a full appreciation of just how much each
means to the world.

England, of course, hasn't built a monument since Stonehenge. England builds little statues to honor its heroes; think of the
Albert Memorial. Nelson's Column in Trafalgar Square is a mere 59 columns short of a full Parthenon. How about the Millenium Dome to celebrate two millennia of ? ? ? In America, the Statue of Liberty wasn't an American idea, it was a gift from France. It's not easy to come up with an artifact that expresses the ideals of a society through time.

The Parthenon is a timeless monument. Regardless of what or how you think of it, this book will add to your understanding,
appreciation and enjoyment. When you think of how many of today's architectural "gems" will still be visited 2,500 years from
now, it gives you an appreciation of what the Athenians accomplished.

Beard tells you how they did it, and then what happened. It's a superb book.