Elgin Marbles

  Elgin Marbles at British Museum

Tonight, I am reporting on the link between Scotland's surviving Bruce family, with a direct link to King Robert the Bruce, victor of the Battle of Bannockburn near Stirling, Scotland) in 1314, and an extensive collection of high quality marble statues and carvings dating back nearly 2500 years which were taken by Thomas Bruce (Earl of Elgin) from the Parthenon in Athens, which at the time was in a ruinous state, and shipped same to London between 1801 and 1805 where they were displayed to the public before transfer to the British Museum in 1817 where they remain to this day.

More Information:

  • The current living blood connections with Robert the Bruce are the nonagenarian Earl and his son, Lord Charles Bruce whose family seat is Broomhall near Edinburgh, Scotland.
  • Lord Charles Bruce is descended from Edward, the brother of Robert the Bruce. Robert's line died out after one generation.
  • Since the 1980s Greek governments have lobbied for return of the statues, which are otherwise known as the Parthenon Sculptures. However, the Bruces and British Museum argue that the sculptures were legally removed with consent of the then ruler of Greece, Selim III, sultan of Turkey. At the time, the Earl of Elgin was the British Ambassador to the sultan of Turkey. Stand-off between Greek and British authorities continues.
  • About a quarter of the original complement of sculptures at the Parthenon are held at the British Museum.
Elgin Marbles Elgin Marbles Elgin Marbles Elgin Marbles Elgin Marbles Display Gallery at British Museum, London

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Reconstructed Roman Villa

Image
This evening, I am reporting on my visit earlier today to a meticulously reconstructed Roman Villa in Somerset, England.   Funding for the project was provided by a South African billionaire. Specific features of the reconstruction project which is known as 'Villa Ventorum': Employed hundreds of architects, builders, archaelogists, mosaic makers, fresco painters and experts on ancient plumbing. The new build was built close to the remains of the original villa which dates from AD351. Incorporates the only working hypocaust system in Europe to create authentic Roman underfloor heating. Thne system also provides heating for the internal baths. Designed to appear to visitors as though still in use. Mosaics and frescoes have been made below the top standards of the time (e.g. Chedworth ) to reflect the social rank of the resident family. Incorporates a Roman 'fast food bar' allong the lines of that found in Pompeii . (Core of above information sourced from the Times newspap
Read more

Glen Quaich, one of Scotland's best backroads tour routes

Image
This afternoon, I am reporting the route of Glen Quaich in Central Scotland. This is a scenic, single track road which is usually closed to traffic in winter. The route covers about twelve miles and runs between the villages of Amulree and Kenmore on the northern tip of Loch Tay in Perthshire. Depending on time of year it is possible to encounter low lying snow, many sheep, grouse and other exceptional opportunities for photography. Incidentally, Quaich means a drinking cup. In a certain place the landscape is shaped like a bowl. Glen Quaich, Perthshire, Scotland Glen Quaich Black Grouse at Glen Quaich Here are a couple of video clips.
Read more

Fort Augustus, a popular visitor site on southern tip of Loch Ness

Image
Loch Ness from flight of locks at Fort Augustus, Scottish Highlands This evening, I am posting information on Fort Augustus, a busy tourist village on the southern tip of Loch Ness in the Scottish Highlands. Summary information on Fort Augustus as follows:- Population about 650 persons. Distance, about 160 miles from Edinburgh and 35 miles from Inverness entailing journey times of 3.5 hours and 1 hour respectively. Well endowed with hotels and other accommodation plus shops, restaurants and visitor attractions. From here visitors can avail of boat trips on Loch Ness. Home to an impressive flight of five locks on the Caledonian Canal. Latter dates from 1822 and is now primarily used by pleasure boats. Closely linked with the 18th century Jacobite uprising in that (a) the village was renamed Fort Augustus (after Prince William Augustus, third son of King George II) consequent upon construction of a British military (redcoat) fort in 1742 and (b) the same Prince
Read more