The Elgin Marbles
The Elgin Marbles are a collection of ancient Greek sculptures from the Parthenon and other structures from the Acropolis of Athens, removed from Ottoman Greece to Britain by agents of Thomas Bruce, 7th Earl of Elgin, and now held in the British Museum. The collection consists of over 70 sculptures, including statues, friezes, and metopes.
Lord Elgin's Removal of the Marbles
In 1801, Lord Elgin was appointed British ambassador to the Ottoman Empire. As ambassador, he had access to the Acropolis and was able to obtain permission from the Ottoman authorities to remove the sculptures. Elgin's agents used a variety of methods to remove the sculptures, including sawing them from the buildings and using cranes to lower them to the ground.
The sculptures were shipped to England in 1812 and were eventually acquired by the British government in 1816. The sculptures have been on display at the British Museum ever since.
The Controversy Surrounding the Elgin Marbles
The removal of the Elgin Marbles has been the subject of much controversy. The Greek government has repeatedly demanded the return of the sculptures, arguing that they were illegally removed from Greece. The British government has refused to return the sculptures, arguing that they were legally acquired and that they are better off being preserved in the British Museum.
The controversy surrounding the Elgin Marbles is a complex one with no easy answers. There are strong arguments on both sides of the issue. Ultimately, it is up to each individual to decide whether or not they believe the sculptures should be returned to Greece.
The Future of the Elgin Marbles
The future of the Elgin Marbles is uncertain. It is possible that the sculptures could be returned to Greece in the future, but it is also possible that they will remain in the British Museum. The decision of whether or not to return the sculptures will likely be made by the British government in consultation with the Greek government.
No comments:
Post a Comment