The ruined silhouette of the Parthenon on the hill of Athens is one of the most famous images in the world. The "mutilated" Elgin Marbles are a global topic of discussion. But what are they really? In a revised and updated edition, Mary Beard, award-winning author, critic, and leading classicist from Cambridge, narrates the story and explains the significance of the Parthenon, the temple of the virgin goddess Athena, the divine protector of ancient Athens.