What Are The Elgin Marbles Controversy

Some doubt the legality of the aquisition.

What are the elgin marbles controversy.

γλυπτά του παρθενώνα also known as the elgin marbles ˈ ɛ l ɡ ɪ n are a collection of classical greek marble sculptures made under the supervision of the architect and sculptor phidias and his assistants. Today much controversy surrounds the ownership elgin marbles both the british and greeks argue that each have legal and moral claim over the parliament s marble adornments. The elgin marbles have been surrounded by controversy for decades. Elgin marbles collection of ancient greek sculptures and architectural details in the british museum london where they are now called the parthenon sculptures.

Making a grand gresture by returning the elgin marbles. Acquiring the sculptures had bankrupted elgin and he was keen to sell them to the government. Apparently elgin obtained written permission to excavate and remove the sculptures from the sultan however the original document was lost. The british defend their ownership of the marbles based on greece s lack of an adequate museum and the fact that they paid for the pieces mcguigan 2.

Greece maintains that their demand is for permanent return of the parthenon marbles. The parthenon marbles greek. It s a collection of stone pieces rescued removed from the ruins of the ancient greek parthenon in the nineteenth century and now in demand to be sent back from the british museum to greece. The first serious discussion about returning the elgin marbles is said to have been initiated in an exchange of correspondence in a newspaper in 1925 with courtenay pollock arguing that the time.

In many ways the marbles are emblematic of the development of modern ideas of national heritage and global display which argues that localized regions have the best claim over items produced there. Lord elgin a staunch patriot had turned down lucrative offers from other governments for the treasures and argued all along that the marbles would add luster to britain s imperial image. The elgin marbles are a source of controversy between modern britain and greece. 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.

Meanwhile in london the elgin marbles started a new chapter of their history as museum objects. Live broadcast of the intellegence squared parthenon marbles debate at the new acropolis museum.