Should The Elgin Marbles Be Returned To Greece? Greece, foundation of Western civilization, member of the European Union, is one of us, not one of them.” In other words, returning the Elgin Marbles today would only reinforce the colonial principle that museums are places where “Western” powers display the cultural treasures of the “global south.” And that principle …
Should Britain return the Parthenon Marbles to Greece? A former UK culture minister says that the Parthenon Marbles should be returned to Greece, fuelling the long-standing debate over the reunification of the fifth-century works that have been housed at the British Museum since the early 19th century.
Do you believe the Elgin Marbles should stay in London or should they be returned to Athens? The legality of the statues is still highly disputed between the U.K. and Greece, with Greek officials arguing that due to the Ottoman’s occupation, the decree was not valid and the Ottomans had no authority over the Parthenon, therefore the marbles should be returned to Athens.
Should the Parthenon sculptures be returned to Greece or retained in the British Museum London?
The British Museum argues that the sculptures in their collection should remain in London because there’s nowhere to house them in Greece and that the Greek authorities can’t look after them.
Why should we return the Elgin marbles?
Perhaps the most impassioned argument for the return of the Parthenon sculptures is that the pieces represent a vital and central part of Greek cultural heritage. That they are the most prominent and symbolic link that modern Athens and modern Athenians have with the greatness of their ancient ancestors.
Why won’t Britain return the Elgin marbles?
Maintenance work at the British Museum and the pandemic have prevented the Parthenon marbles from being publicly viewed for almost a year. The Acropolis Museum, which was purpose-built to house the classical carvings at the foot of the monument in Athens, reopened in May.
What is the problem with the Elgin marbles?
The Elgin Marbles have been controversial for over 200 years, with the Acropolis Museum in Athens – which houses the remaining sculptures – keeping a space empty for them amongst its current display. Greece considers the Elgin Marbles stolen goods and has frequently demanded that they’re returned.
Did Lord Elgin have permission to take the marbles?
According to the British Museum, Elgin was granted a firman (letter of instruction) granting him permission to take away the pieces… … “as a personal gesture after he encouraged the British forces in their fight to drive the French out of Egypt, which was then an Ottoman possession”.
Why are the Elgin Marbles so controversial?
Why the controversy? The sculptures are the subject of one of the longest cultural rows in Europe. The Greeks have demanded that they be returned to their homeland. Greece maintains they were taken illegally during the country’s Turkish occupation and should be returned for display in Athens.
Did Lord Elgin steal the marbles?
The British Museum claims that Lord Elgin didn’t “steal” the artifacts. Instead, the museum insists that Elgin took them with the complete knowledge and permission of the Ottoman authorities. During the time when Lord Elgin was ambassador to the Ottoman Empire, Athens was under its rule.
What is the story behind the Elgin marbles?
Known as the Parthenon Sculptures, they are also called the Elgin Marbles, after the Scottish nobleman Lord Elgin, who stripped them from the ancient Acropolis in Athens in 1801 and sold them to the British government in 1816.
Why did the British take the Elgin marbles?
Elgin, an art lover, claimed the sculptures were better off in Britain than the perilous environment he found them in. … On his return to England, Elgin told a Parliamentary inquest that a desire to protect what was left of the treasure was part of his motivation in taking them.
Should the British Museum return artifacts?
A common argument for the repatriation of artefacts is that they are best understood and appreciated it their original historical and cultural context. Some 46% of Brits might agree, saying that looted artefacts remain more a part of their country of origin’s history than they are a part of British history.
Why was Lord Elgin in Greece?
Lord Elgin arrived in Constantinople with instructions to watch over British interest, promote trade, look for new deals, get the Turks to open the Black Sea to British trade, and kick the French out of Egypt and the Eastern Mediterranean, which were all part of the Ottoman empire.
What is the debate surrounding the Parthenon sculptures?
For the Parthenon sculptures, the main substantive issues are (1) whether Lord Elgin had the permission of the Ottoman government to remove the sculptures from the Parthenon and to ship them to England, and (2) whether any international law exists that would require the sculptures to be turned over.
Why is the Parthenon important in art history?
Importance of the Parthenon Built in the 5 century B.C., it was a symbol of the power, wealth and elevated culture of Athens. It was the largest and most lavish temple the Greek mainland had ever seen. Today, it is one of the most recognized buildings in the world and an enduring symbol of Ancient Greece.
Will the Parthenon Marbles be returned?
It is currently housed in the Antonino Salinas Regional Archaeological Museum in Palermo, Sicily and will return to Greece on a four-year loan. Italy’s fragment of the 2,500-year-old Parthenon marbles features the foot of a goddess, thought to be either Peitho or Artemis.
Who really owns the Elgin marbles?
Britain is legitimate owner of Parthenon marbles, UK’s Johnson tells Greece. ATHENS (Reuters) – Britain is the legitimate owner of the Parthenon marbles, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson told a Greek newspaper, rebuffing Greece’s permanent request for the return of the 2,500-year-old sculptures.
WHO removed the Parthenon Marbles?
How the Parthenon Lost Its Marbles. The Parthenon had withstood centuries of abuse from outsiders when Lord Elgin removed its remaining sculptures in the early 1800s.
Did the Elgin Marbles sink?
Among the artefacts being transported were the famous ‘Elgin Marbles’ – statues taken from the Parthenon. It was en route to the island of Malta where it was set to dock before travelling on to England when it sank.
Who was the artistic genius behind the Elgin marbles?
To this day, Greece continues to press claims for restitution. The genius behind the Parthenon’s sculptures was the architect and artist Phidias, of whom it was said that he alone among mortals had seen the gods as they truly are.
What nationality altered the Parthenon’s architecture?
The Parthenon is one of the best known architectural symbols of any civilization. Built in the 15 year period between 447-432 BC this ancient Greek temple was designed as a replacement for a temple destroyed by the Persians in 480 BC.
What is a metope in Greek?
Definition of metope : the space between two triglyphs of a Doric frieze often adorned with carved work.