ABSTRACT
Nineteenth-century poets and writers, critical of the manner in which the Scottish aristocrat had removed the sculptures from the Classical temple, contrasted the bright sunlight and clear blue skies of Athens with overcast conditions frequently experienced in their new home in London. Despite the frequent references to the natural light of Athens, there is also a curious lack of any scientific definition of the components of the inimitable light found in the Greek capital. It is a distinct presence, yet one that has rarely been quantified. The "unique Attic light" has also become imbued with a semi-religious quality that has permeated repatriationist rhetoric regarding the Marbles and the natural light of Athens. The changing seasons also bring considerable variation in the intensity of sunlight and the length of the day. In addition to heat hazes, Athens has been infamous for its poor air quality and heavily polluted atmosphere, which have transformed 'natural' light received by the city.
