Research Paper On The Parthenon Marbles

As I mentioned, this is an extremely controversial topic that has raised a lot of difference in opinions. Furthermore, I must admit that those arguing for the sculptures to remain in Britain do make some interesting points that plenty of people have taken into consideration. One of their arguments is that the sculptures were already in a damaged and fragile condition, and leaving them in Greece would have destroyed them completely (‘The Parthenon Marbles: Refuting the Arguments”, par 6). In the YouTube video, “Parthenon Marbles Debate ", one of Tristam Hunt’s arguments is if the Greeks are able to acquire their historic artwork, this may cause other countries to demand their historic artifacts as well, not just from the British Museum, but from museums all over the world as well. I can see the counter arguments that this controversy issue involves. However, regardless of whether they were in a horrible condition, the Greeks were never consulted, nor did they have a say regarding the selling of this artwork to Elgin. Now, when it comes to everyone claiming and demanding they receive their ancient artwork, like historian Hunt said; this is true. It can happen, but I don't believe that any other artifacts have the amount of significance that these sculptures do. The Greeks worked their hearts

In the last decades, the repatriation of art and cultural heritage has become a controversial issue. This issue has received great attention from the public, international law and the press. Should cultural object taken by a country or nation remain with that country or should it repatriated? Art repatriation refers to the returning of cultural artifact to their original owners. (Roehrenbeck,2010). Cultural treasures represent the civilization of a nation or group of people which reflect the religions, values and ideologies. (Zhong,2014)

Countless art has been sought-after throughout history. Explorers, scientists, art collectors, politicians, and entrepreneurs from Western nations have sought out and removed art from the lands of great civilizations, often with the assistance and participation of local people and governments. Even as cultural property faces immediate danger today in conflict zones like Syria and Mali, there is circumstantial evidence that some nations are awakening to the political and foreign policy benefits that can flow from the repatriation of cultural patrimony. While on a different scale from World War II, historic structures, religious monuments, and other priceless ancient times continue to suffer collateral damage and manipulation in armed conflict. Relics have been stolen, smuggled and sold in what is a reported multibillion dollar underground market. They have become the illicit prizes of private collectors and the subject of legal claims against museums. Of the countless museums subject to legal claims, The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City happens to be one of them. “The Metropolitan Museum has acquired thousands of works and objects of art from the antiquities”. “For the past several years, the government of Turkey has warned U.S. and foreign museums (including The Metropolitan Museum of Art), that unless ancient objects from Turkish soil are given up on demand, Turkey will stop lending artworks” (The Committee for Cultural Policy, 2015). Turkey continues to up the

The Elgin Marbles is the common name for an extensive collection of the Ancient Greek sculpture which has been on display in the British Museum since the early-1800s. The collection includes 75 meters (247 feet) of the original 160-metre (524-foot) frieze from the Parthenon temple in Athens. The frieze is the highly decorative section above the columns in classical Greek architecture. The collection is controversial because of its namesake the seventh Earl of Elgin removed the treasures from Greece with the permission of the Ottomans, who occupied Greece from the mid-15th century until 1821. For decades, the Greeks have called for the priceless artifacts’ return, but the British Museum defends its ownership as legitimate.

Firstly, some experts have claimed that laws have been passed saying that the countries have ownership of ancient cultural property. According to a retired professor from the University of Virginia, Malcolm Bell III, says “It was exported illegally, probably also excavated illegally, and . . . is now . . . stolen property” (Mortimer). This is a valid point saying that many of the items that have been in museums for a very long time may have been exported illegally by illegal dealers. A second expert who agrees is John Tierney, who says, “the best way to protect archeological sites is to restrict the international trade in antiquities” (Tierney). Many have said to have gotten broken or ruined items of value through mail travel and that is unacceptable.

“Who Owns the Elgin Marbles?” this question continues to linger in some minds today, and just so happens to be reviewed in the respectfully titled article written by John Henry Merryman in 1986. In this article, Merryman, in the most unbiased way possible, assesses both Britain’s and Greece’s side of the argument pertaining to the ownership of the Elgin Marbles and whether they should be returned to Greece after being removed from the Parthenon by Lord Elgin in the early 19th century. Within the article, the main points discussed regard the morality and legality of the removal of the marbles. Merryman goes on to discuss three more main concerns dealing with the marbles and where they belong:

The controversy began almost one hundred years ago. Between 1801 and 1812, Thomas Bruce, 7th Earl of Elgin and British Ambassador to the Ottoman Empire, removed several sculptures from the Parthenon in Athens and shipped them to England, where he sold them to the British Museum in 1816. 167 years later, Melina Mercouri, Greek Minister of Culture, requested that the “Elgin” Marbles be returned. This request sparked one of the greatest debates the art world has ever known. For the past two decades, people have argued over who has the rights to these Marbles. The Greek position is certainly understandable from a cultural and emotional point of view. However, from the standpoint of

As we are all aware, the Parthenon bears immeasurable cultural importance as a surviving example of Classical architecture in the modern world. The structure also bears many artefacts, including friezes depicting significant historical events such as the occurrences at the Battle of Marathon. The ‘Elgin Marbles’, which were removed from the Parthenon by Lord Elgin upon the agreement of the Ottoman Empire between 1801 and 1805, depict such a scene. The Greek Government have requested that the British Museum return the Marbles, on the basis

To begin, one reason why the museums shouldn’t return the artifacts is because whoever found the artifact has the artifact in their history not the person who owns the land. “Such as when Ponce de León’s ships landed on Florida's east coast near present-day St. Augustine. He claimed this beautiful land for Spain, so Spain has now has Florida in their history” Further, another reason why the museums shouldn’t return the artifacts is because if the countries that want them back want them so bad then why don’t they just pay the countries

Architecturally, societally and religiously, the Parthenon of Athens and the Pantheon of Rome share many similarities and some important differences. Fortunately, these wonders of the ancient world have survived to give us some idea of their construction and use.

First off, your post raises two great points for both sides of the Partheon Marble dispute. While I also feel the marbles should be returned to Greece, I can now see the British Museum's reluctance to return them due to the fear of other countries wanting to take their country's art back.

The Elgin Marbles are a subject of great debate. Both sides of this great debate have great points that support their argument. I am not sure how I feel about this particular debate. Every time I start to lean towards one side, the other side makes an excellent point.

First in what they stand for and second for the architectural designs giving us something to remember them by. Third and lastly the power that they still present even today while the cultures are long dead and gone we still have their buildings to remind us that they were here. The Parthenon and the

The Parthenon and the Pantheon are both amazing and detailed buildings. Although the Parthenon was built in Athens and the Pantheon in Rome, both of these buildings share some similarities, but are also different as well. In this paper I will share how the similarities and differences between Ancient Greece and Rome are seen in these two buildings.

The Parthenon is located on the Athenian Acropolis, Greece; is a former temple which was dedicated to Greek goddess Athena, whom the Athens considered their leader. According to the British Museum (2015), The Parthenon was built nearly 2500 years ago and has a long and complex history. After thousands of years it became a church of the Virgin Mary of the Athenians, then a mosque and then finally resulted in a archaeological ruin. After the result of a ruin, the buildings were reformed in which various sculptures were damaged. During the 1800’s after the Parthenon being damaged, the Elgin marbles (Elgin) a part of the remaining sculpture, was removed and given to a British museum. For hundreds of years there has been a question if the British museum should return the Elgin marbles back to the Athenians or not. I believe that that the safest and most beneficial place for the Elgin marbles is the British museum, therefore the British should not return the marble to the Athenians.