Pros And Cons Of Elgin Marbles

1000 Words4 Pages

Who owns history? This image, containing the Elgin Marbles, has been debated over for centuries by many historians who question the legality of Lord Elgin’s ownership over them. (see Appendix A) Sculpted in the 5th century BCE, The Greek Marbles are a collection of sculptures attached to the Parthenon in Athens, Greece, before they were removed by Lord Elgin and shipped to the British Museum in London in 1801. Some historians believe that the Elgin Marbles should be returned to Greece because they represent a vital and central part of Greek cultural heritage and they believe they were removed illegally by Lord Elgin. However, evidence supports that the Elgin Marbles should remain in the British Museum as it would provide a larger educational benefit and put the history of Greece in the context of surrounding countries. Additionally, Elgin was given permission to remove the Marbles in the form of a firman. Therefore, the Elgin Marbles should remain in the British Museum because they are more accessible to a greater number of people and are put in the context of world history. Along with the educational benefits, …show more content…

The Trustees of the British Museum believe that there's a “great public benefit to seeing the sculptures within the context of the world collection of the British Museum, in order to deepen our understanding of their significance within world cultural history.” The Elgin Marbles in London are an important representation of ancient Athenian civilization in the context of world history. Each year millions of visitors, free of charge, admire the artistry of The Elgin Marbles and gain insight into how ancient Greece influenced – and was influenced by – the other civilizations that it encountered. Because of these many educational benefits that are possible with the British Museum’s ownership of the marbles, The Elgin Marbles should remain in