Athena - Elgin Marble at The British Museum, London

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The iconic Parthenon, constructed between 447 and 438 B.C., stood as a testament to the city's revered patron goddess, Athena. Born from her father Zeus' bed with Metis, Athena emerged as the virgin warrior goddess. Her conception sparked fear in Zeus, who swallowed Metis whole to prevent being overpowered. Years later, Hephaestus intervened by splitting open Zeus' head with an axe, releasing Athena into the world. The stunning Parthenon Marbles, also known as the Elgin Marbles, comprise a collection of classical Greek marble sculptures, inscriptions, and architectural members originally part of the Parthenon and other structures on the Acropolis of Athens. Thomas Bruce, the 7th Earl of Elgin, claimed to have obtained a permit in 1811 from the Ottoman house, which then ruled Greece, allowing him to remove whatever he might discover during specific excavations. Between 1801 and 1812, Elgin's agents carefully extracted approximately half of the surviving Parthenon sculptures, along with architectural members and sculptures from the Propylaea and Erechtheum. The Marbles were subsequently transported by sea to Britain. While some supported the acquisition of the collection, others likened Elgin's actions to vandalism or looting. Following a heated public debate in Parliament and subsequent exoneration of Elgin, the British government purchased the marbles in 1816 and transferred them to the British Museum, where they remain on display today in the purpose-built Duveen Gallery. This remarkable object is part of "Scan The World," a non-profit initiative launched by MyMiniFactory. Through this community-driven effort, we are creating a digital archive of fully 3D printable sculptures, artworks, and landmarks from around the globe for public access at no cost. Scan The World is an open-source project; if you have interesting items nearby and would like to contribute, email stw@myminifactory.com to learn how you can participate.