Greece Releases Images of Artifacts Stolen From Olympic Museum

Stealing Greece

Published on 20 February 2012

Author(s): Bloomberg/Natalie Weeks

Type:  News

Greece released images and descriptions of 77 artifacts stolen last week from the museum of ancient Olympia, the Archaeological Museum of Olympia, the birthplace of the Olympic Games.

Artifacts taken in the heist include a gold ring that was used as a seal and had a Mycenean bull-leaping scene engraved on it, 13 ceramic lanterns, a vase from Rhodes used to store olive oil, 11 bronze wheels and more than 30 ceramic and copper animal statuettes, according to images released in a joint e-mailed statement from the Athens-based Culture Ministry and the Citizen Protection Ministry.

Culture Minister Pavlos Yeroulanos offered to resign on Feb. 17 after two armed and hooded men tied up the guard and robbed the museum in southern Greece. The robbery is the second major theft in two months.

On Jan. 9, police reported three works of art, including a painting by Pablo Picasso and donated by the artist to the Greek people, were stolen from the National Gallery of Art in central Athens. The thieves have yet to be found.

Back to previous page