Why are the PARTHENON MARBLES so controversial? | History of the Elgin Marbles at the British Museum

Should Britain return the PARTHENON MARBLES to Greece? In this week’s video from History Calling we look at the history of the Elgin Marbles (as they are also called) from antiquity to the present day and ask why are the Parthenon Marbles so controversial and were the Parthenon Marbles stolen or saved?

First though, what are the Parthenon sculptures? Answer; they are a collection of friezes, metopes (meaning sculpted reliefs) and statutes depicting creatures from classical mythology and a long procession of human beings. The history of the Parthenon Marbles dates to the 5th century BC when they were first built as part of the Parthenon temple on the Acropolis in Greece, designed to honour the goddess Athena. Over half the Marbles have since been destroyed due to fires, deliberate destruction and looting and of the half that remain, around 50% are in the British Museum and 50% remain in Greece, with a few fragments in other museums including the Louvre in Paris. The story of how the British Museum acquired its share though is complex and contested and has led many to ask, were the Parthenon Marbles stolen, or saved for posterity?

The Marbles now in England were sent there by Thomas Bruce, 7th Earl of Elgin in the early 1800s, having been taken from the Parthenon, supposedly with the permission of the Ottoman Empire which was then in control of Greece. They were determined to have been acquired legally by a UK Parliamentary Select Committee and in 1816 the British Museum bought them for £35,000 and put them on display.

By the start of the 1830s Greece had acquired its independence and from the 1980s onwards there have been increasingly loud calls from their government and citizens to return the Marbles to their place of origin, making them highly contested objects. The British Museum has refused these calls, stating that the Marbles were brought to England and to that institution legally and that they are not allowed, under the British Museum Act of 1963 to deaccession any of their holdings except under very rare and limited circumstances, which do not apply in this case. They have suggested loans to a Greek museum, but this solution has been refused as Greek authorities do not recognise British ownership of the artefacts. The debate over this contested history continues.

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LEARN MORE:

Catherine Titi, The Parthenon Marbles and International Law (Springer, 2023). This book is available on Amazon but is very expensive. I recommend getting it through a library instead.

British Museum’s statements on the Parthenon marbles

AND

Report from the Select Committee of the House of Common on the Earl of Elgin’s collection of sculptured marbles …(1816)

Parthenon Marbles debate between academics, MPs and actor/presenter Stephen Fry

British Museum’s Act (1963)

NB: Links above may be affiliate links. This means if you make a purchase through one of these links, I earn a small commission. It in no way affects the price you pay.

[HistoryCalling]

Let me know below if you think the Marbles should go back to Greece and remember to check out:

[davidrhaslam]

I have visited Athens and the acropolis a number of times now, first in 1974 ad then again in 2012, 2018. I mention that time line because back in 1974 the acropolis was largely open to the visitors with access to the monuments and tickets purchased from a small timber hut. Back then I would suggest that the marbles were best displayed in the British Museum. However since then there has been much work carried out by the Greeks as they seek to restore much of the Parthenon and on my last visit I was able to visit the new Museum described in this video. There you can view many of the works saved from the Acropolis whilst being able to look across and see original place where these marble carvings once stood. My attitude like the narrators, has now changed and in my view there is a clearly appropriate place to house the Elgin Marbles. It is worth pointing out that at the Acropolis Museum there is a scaled down sculpture of both end pediments east ad west, these give a complete image of how the pediments would have appeared. Would it not be possible for replications to be original marbles to be provided for the British Museum whilst the originals could be returned to the New Acropolis Museum in Athens where it overlooks the monuments that comprise the sacred Athenian sanktury.

[annmoore]

Beautifully presented! You have outdone yourself with this meticulous examination of the issue, and the fact that you changed your own opinion in the course of studying it. That's the sign of a truly objective scholar! From the first time I saw them, I have always felt the Museum's claim that it alone could take proper care of the marbles was completely bogus. After visiting some gorgeous state-of-the-art museums in Greece, I'm even more convinced that the marbles should go home. Perhaps the king, with his strong interest in historic preservation, might someday add his voice to those calling for a review of the legal restrictions preventing the Museum from doing, as I strongly believe, the right thing. We can only hope.

[CapitalCLYDE]

Historian to historian, your channel is one of my absolute favorites. This is one of the aspects of museums that I’m very passionate about and you did it so much justice. Thank you.

[RoBA]

You are a great historian and a hard worker! Very sensible and wise! Thank you for bringing history to me at my age of 59! Wish you and your loved ones a Merry Christmas!

[brittany]

I’m an archaeologist- they’re stolen. Even ignoring the sketchiness of translation of a translation documentation, that permit didn’t give Elgin permission to remove materials from the site, let alone from the building itself.

I work in Pompeii- out permits say we’re allowed to excavate in particular locations, meaning we can dig and move materials around unimpeded. This does NOT mean we’re allowed to remove materials from the site or the country; it’s implicitly understood that that would be BAD, and definitely not covered by our permits. The fact that Elgin used that kind of logic to justify his theft shows how underhanded his intentions were.

[babydollchaosable]

I appreciate that you always give us facts and that you cite your findings. You put so much research into your content and it shows.

[sarahkoch]

I am so pleased -- and not at all surprised -- that, after doing thorough research, you come down on the side of returning the art to Greece. I couldn't agree more: it is the ethical thing to do. May it become possible.

[bonniea]

I was JUST at the British Museum three days ago and saw all of these. Thank you for covering this so carefully.

[mi_kirsh]

Would LOVE more Greek history videos! Very fascinating.

[kevster]

The most important consideration today is that the sculptures be displayed to their best advantage, which is clearly at the purpose built museum next to the original site.I had always doubted that the marbles were legally obtained in the first place and you have proved conclusively that they weren't - on several grounds. Congratulations for another stirling piece of research!

[stephencarrillo]

👏👏 I so enjoy rewatching your videos, HC. I always manage to miss details on first viewing. The history of Greece in the Ottoman Empire was something I should have known, but didn't. I also appreciated Lord Byron's response to the whole affair; good quote. I agree with you; the marbles should be returned. Have a great weekend. 🙏🏼

[paddypaddy]

Although I’m primarily here for your royal history videos, particularly Tudor and Art, I almost fell off my chair when this one came up! I was JUST talking with my brother about these marbles last week! I mentioned seeing these while visiting London and he told me this very story!

[JennyTolios]

As always, a brilliantly researched and compelling video. Thank you for putting such effort into presenting a balanced and well thought out view about such an important issue. I am Greek....we want our Parthenon statues back. They must be returned to their true home.

[monicacyrino]

As a classicist by vocation, I am pleased to see you tackle this topic... I come to your channel for my chosen avocation, Tudor stuff 😊 as to where they belong, obviously the artefacts belong at home in Athens, but as "possession is nine-tenths of the law" it doesn't seem like they'll be moved any time soon...

[annmoore]

Thank you for reminding commenters to keep remarks respectful. ❤️

[beastieber]

Good evening to history calling from Bea

[delia]

Happy Friday. Great video. This reminds me when I went to Olympia Greece and tour the location of the first Olympics. There was rumble everywhere and a building of statues and artifacts. Yes . They should go back to Greece

[MichelleBruce-looc]

Hi, I did enjoy it. Your history videos are always enjoyable and wonderful see you next video 😊

[ns-wzmx]

well done HC, i honestly didn’t even know this was a controversy! it seems more fitting that they be in Greece when it first comes to find. whether stolen or not, i agree with you in sharing some pity for the workers. hope you have a great holiday!