The Greek And British Controversy Regarding The Elgin Marbles

The parthenon marbles greek.

The greek and british controversy regarding the elgin marbles.

γλυπτά του παρθενώνα also known as the elgin marbles ˈ ɛ l ɡ ɪ n are a collection of classical greek marble sculptures made under the supervision of the architect and sculptor phidias and his assistants. Curently the elgin marbles constitute one of the most important collections of the british museum. 15 of the 92 original metopes from the parthenon representing the fight between the centaurs and the lapiths. The greek government has disputed the british museum trustees legal title to the sculptures.

Some suggest that lord elgin bribed turkish officials and effectively stole the marbles. The greek government has frequently demanded the return of the marbles but the british museum claiming among other reasons that it has saved the marbles. The british defend their ownership of the marbles based on greece s lack of an adequate museum and the fact that they paid for the pieces mcguigan 2. Today much controversy surrounds the ownership elgin marbles both the british and greeks argue that each have legal and moral claim over the parliament s marble adornments.

The elgin marbles are a source of controversy between modern britain and greece it s a collection of stone pieces rescued removed from the ruins of the ancient greek parthenon in the nineteenth century and now in demand to be sent back from the british museum to greece. In many ways the marbles are emblematic of the development of modern ideas of national heritage and global display which.