The Parthenon Marbles are among the most beautiful works of art to have emerged from ancient Greece, and are made up of sculptures and friezes which were originally a part of the Parthenon. These masterpieces were created under the supervision of Pheidias in 447-432 BC, who was commissioned by Pericles to develop the Acropolis as a great monument to Athenian glory.
The Marbles were removed from the Parthenon in 1801 by Lord Elgin, who was British ambassador to Constantinople, and a keen collector of antiquities. Over several years, he amassed 33 shipments of artefacts from the Parthenon, sawing up friezes into transportable sections, and removing sculptures that were often carved into the building itself. Although Elgin intended the collection for his private house, he eventually sold the so-called “Elgin Marbles” to the British Government in 1816. They were then placed in the custody of the British Museum, where they have remained ever since.
Ever since Lord Elgin first cut down parts of the Parthenon, many regarded his conduct as an act of vandalism, which permanently defaced the temple forever. Detractors of Elgin have accused him of pillaging a classical site, and of bribing and lying to the Turks, who were then the occupying force in Greece, in order to obtain the Marbles. As soon as the Greeks won their independence in 1832, they began to make requests that the parts removed from their greatest national symbol should be returned. From Lord Byron onwards, there have been many passionate supporters of the return, among the British as well as Greeks, who appreciated the significance of the Parthenon, for Greek and world culture.
During the last 200 years there has been much ink spilt and tempers lost over the rights and wrongs of returning the Parthenon Marbles to Athens. The British Museum is unwilling to lose one of its famous attractions, and does not want to set a precedent for the restitution of other museum artefacts. Supporters of the return reply that the case of the Marbles is unique, as they are an integral part of a national monument. There has been much dispute over whether or not Lord Elgin acquired the treasures legitimately, and academics on both sides have argued about whether he was entitled to remove them. These debates have continued, with accusations and counter-accusations, and ultimately have not been helpful in establishing a conclusion.
Today, there is huge public support in Greece and Britain for the return of the Parthenon Marbles to Greece (polls show the British public in favour by 2:1). The reuniting of these marvellous sculptures with their original environment would be an inspirational gesture, and one for which there is a new campaign – Parthenon 2004. This has the support of many British actors, including Dame Judi Dench, Vanessa Redgrave, Janet Suzman, Joanna Lumley and Sir Sean Connery, who wish to see justice, and in particular, an agreement before the Athens Olympic Games in 2004. This new campaign is focussing on the importance of cooperation between The British Museum and Greece, and not on the details of who should actually own the sculptures. What is vital is that the missing parts of the Parthenon should be returned to take their place under the brilliant Attic skies, where they were created nearly two and a half thousand years ago.
The Return of the Parthenon Marbles to Athens
- The Parthenon is Greece’s greatest symbol, but more than that, it represents the Greek contribution to the cultural heritage of humankind. The Parthenon Marbles were an integral part of this monument, and should be reintegrated with their original historical and cultural environment in Athens. These works of art are part of a heritage which is owned by the world, and the case is thus unique, and of universal importance.
- The Acropolis Museum is now under construction, with a specially-designed room for the Parthenon Marbles, which visitors will be able to view within the context of the Acropolis. The reunification of all the ancient sites in Athens within a pedestrian zone will allow the tourist and the researcher to have an idea of the classical city and the ancient landscape of Athens (the project is well under way, and will be completed by 2004). The aim will be to allow as many people as possible access to as many sites as possible, throughout the whole area, including the Acropolis Museum.
- Although there are many legal arguments which could be made over the return of the Parthenon sculptures to their original home, there should be a new, dynamic partnership between Greece and Britain, based on the return of the Marbles. For example, there could be rotating exhibitions of ancient Greek art in London and the British Museum, giving Britain a unique and privileged position in cultural terms. Furthermore, there would be a whole range of possible exchanges, and cultural and study programmes for children, students, and researchers.
- The Olympic Games will be held in Athens in 2004, and provide an ideal opportunity for the Parthenon Marbles to return to Greece. Over 100 years after Greece first hosted the Games, the world will be watching this major international and cultural event, which can also be seen as a homecoming. Greece is reviving some of the ancient traditions, such as the Olympic Truce, and by working for peace and reconciliation, intends to make the Olympic Games even more significant. Britain could also use this time to join Greece in the cultural Olympiad, and make a strong statement to the whole world by returning the Marbles.
- The reunification of the Parthenon Marbles is first and foremost a moral issue, and the historical and legal concerns should be left aside. By restoring them as close as possible to their original environment, there would be a greater sense of the symbolic importance of the monument, and the significance of the philosophical and cultural message which it brings to humanity. Britain can confirm its warm and long-standing friendship with Greece, as well as its commitment to justice and the future of world culture, by making it possible for these works of art to be returned, and have their integrity restored.
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