BYRON AND THE ANTIQUITIES OF THE ACROPOLIS OF ATHENS

Παρουσίαση

"The antiquities of the Acropolis of Athens":
Epic - lyrical poem 4,055 lines long. Byron published the first two cantos of it in London on lst March 1812 (the remaining two were published in 1816 and 1818). He had started writing the poem in Ioannina on 31st October 1809 and finished the first canto in Athens and the second one in Smyrna on 28th March. He gave them their final style and tone in London. For Byron, Elgin, who was not an Englishman but a descendant of the Picts, destroyed whatever had been venerated by the Goths, the Turks and time. The poet grievously observes that the youth of Greece, being unable to protect its monuments, participate in their mother's grief, feeling their shackles heavier. Childe Harold wonders why Pallas and Pileas' son did not defend their city. He addresses Albion, which, in his thoughts, rejoices in the tears of Athens and requests that it should not make sed of hating the Greeks, he ascribes it to their long lasting slavery. He did not overlook the Homeric "ήμισυ αρετής αποέννυται δούλειον ήμαρ". (From the publisher)