005_MOROSINI'S_BALLS In 1687 the Venetians;dominant in the Mediterranean decided to retake Athens .Francesco Morosini and his general; the Swede Count Otto Wilhelm K拧nigsmarck laid siege to Athens.脢Morosini would hit with artillery;脢 He did not spare the temple.脢 A mortar round pierced the roof on September 26; 1687 and exploded . ...three of the sanctuary脮s four walls nearly collapsed and three-fifths of the sculptures from the frieze fell. Nothing of the roof apparently remained in place. Six columns from the south side fell; eight from the north; as well as whatever remained from eastern porch; except for one column. The columns brought down with them the enormous marble architraves; triglyphs and metopes--脢 Stone fragments rained down like shrapnel over a wide area wounding hundreds more.脢 Fires were ignited that burned much of the Acropolis and much of the city including many homes.脢 Of course脢 Morosini occupied the city in triumph.IN THE PHOTO: PARTHENON THE SOUTH SIDE THS IS WHERE THE FATAL CONNON BALL HIT AND DESTROYED THE PARTHENON. CLOUDS THAT LOOK LIKE BILLOWING SMOKE...ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE ACROPOLIS ATHENS