Elgin Marbles

1. What are they?

2. Why are they in the British Museum?
3. What is the debate between Greece and Britain over the Marbles?
4. What do you think should be their fate?

The Elgin marbles are a collection of large classical Greek marble sculptures that were
originally part of the Parthenon on the Acropolis of Athens. Thomas Bruce, the British
ambassador to the Ottoman Empire and 7th Earl of Elgin, obtained permission from the
ruling government of Athens at the time to remove these large sculptures and preserve
them in the British Museum where the Elgin marbles were highly regarded and cared for.
However, the controversy of Lord Elgin’s actions of removal of the Elgin marbles lead to
the debate between England and Greece for the possession of the artefacts. Athens argue
that the marbles may have been obtained illegally and, hence, should be returned to their
rightful owner while ensured at the New Acropolis Museum, built to hold the sculptures in
natural sunlight and equipped with state-of-the-art technology for preservation and
protection. However, London argues that the museum is banned by charter from returning
any part of its collection and claims that there is no point in returning the sculptures that
are already well preserved at the museum. They also argue that London is the most visited
city in Europe and visitors are allowed to see the Elgin marbles for free while in Athens, the
New Acropolis Museum demands to be paid five Euros each visit. Personally, I believe the
Elgin Marbles should remain in the British Museum as the marbles are too delicate to travel
from London to Athens and may be severely damaged.