A History Essay: The Elgin Marbles and the Repatriation Debate

This essay delves into the contentious debate surrounding the Elgin Marbles, exploring the arguments for and against their repatriation to Greece. It begins with an introduction to the marbles, their origins, and the historical context of their removal from the Parthenon. The essay then presents a series of arguments, including those based on legality, cultural heritage, and preservation. The cases for keeping the marbles in the British Museum are presented, highlighting the legal basis of their acquisition, the argument that the museum provides a safe environment for the sculptures, and the value of the marbles in educating the public. Conversely, the essay also explores the arguments for repatriation, emphasizing the marbles' importance to Greek cultural heritage, the ethical considerations of their removal, and the damage that the sculptures have suffered. The essay concludes by summarizing the key points of the debate and acknowledging the complexity of the issue, offering a balanced perspective on this ongoing controversy. The essay provides a detailed overview of the historical background, legal arguments, cultural significance, and preservation concerns surrounding the Elgin Marbles, presenting a comprehensive analysis of the arguments from both sides.

Essay

TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
Arguments for and against repatriation in regard to Elgin Marbles............................................3
Case 1: Elgin Marbles: The case for keeping..............................................................................3
Case 2: Museum of London's British will not give the Sculptures to Greece, by stating that
their controversial dismissal was a creative act”.........................................................................4
Case 3: Parthenon Marbles is all about the case for return..........................................................5
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................7
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................8

INTRODUCTION
Classical Greek marble sculptures is known as The Elgin marbles that are developed with
supervision of the sculptures Phidias. This argumentative study will show some facts or basis on
which people argued for and against repatriation of the sculptures (Doyle, 2018). Some main
basis that this study will discuss are: legality, cultural heritage and safety.
Arguments for and against repatriation in regard to Elgin Marbles
In the context of Elgin marbles that are the most famous of thousands of objects or
artefacts. Such human remains or artefacts were takes from country of their origin and now are
held in foreign museum. The Parthenon marble is known as Elgin marble. Origin country of this
famous inscription is: Greece. It was acquired by Lord Elgin In Athens, Greece between the year
of 1801 and 1805. Now it has been kept in British Museum. It is found that one British nobleman
bared sculptures of Parthenon and then bring all of them with himself to England in 1801.
Controversy is still on to this day. It affected tourism industry of Greece because such marbles
and sculptures were the main attraction. There is one case regarding this in which director of
British museum, Hart wig Fischer argued and said that he would not support repatriating them to
Athens.
Case 1: Elgin Marbles: The case for keeping
There is one strong case that is in favour of British in which some arguments have been
done that says facts why British should not return marbles to Greece. Some arguments have been
made in this regard because many people still believes that it was illegal and British should
return the sculptures to Greece.
Argument 1: Legality: Main argument in regard to repatriation of Elgin marbles based on
legality. All supporters of return of marbles said that removal of artefacts from Greece was
illegal. It is found when all removal situation happens, Greece was under the control of Ottoman
Empire. That time, Lord Elgin received a royal mandate from the Sultan who permitted removal
of the marbles. In regard top legality of purchasing or bringing such marbles to British museum,
committee was held and in the year of 1816 it was found that the purchase was completely legal
(Godwin, 2020). So, it can be said that the appeal for their return was based on emotions in
cultural nationalist agenda.
Argument 2: Preservation and safety: Other argument was based on this element in which
supporters of remain the sculptures in British museum said that the Parthenon itself has

experienced significant cultural alteration. They said that in the 16th century, such marbles were
used in making church and again it was used in making mosque by displacing sculptures. So,
there is no safety and it may lead war between people of different cultures if it is given back to
Greece. In the 1460s, such sculptures were converted for making mosque. It is also stated that
European tourists chiselled away some pieces of sculptures and took away with them to home as
souvenirs (Elgin Marbles: The Case for Keeping, 2016). So, supporters said that the Marbles or
Sculptures are safe in British museum and educate people.
Argument 3: Cultural heritage: Director of British Museum and all supporters of British said
that such sculptures in Museum attract tourists and makes them aware about cultures. It
contributes to understanding of ancient Greek history and artistic were highly appreciated or
praised by the modern public. In the UK, number of tourists were also increased and some part
were awarded and counted in the list of the best seen parts in the context of the world collection.
So, on the basis of this element of argument, it can be said that British should not return Elgin
marbles to Greece.
Case 2: Museum of London's British will not give the Sculptures to Greece, by stating that their
controversial dismissal was a creative act”
Creative Act: In latest interview, happened with Fischer by daily newspaper of Greek
Ta Nea, then director of British museum said that now this museum give new context to people.
The main aim behind displaying Elgin Marbles in museum is to make people aware about culture
and engaging them with cultural heritage and it makes them creative. And in regard to against of
repatriating he also said that this move or displacement is creative act. It was rebuke comment
that one cannot ignore or argue easily. Elgin marbles In this regard, international association's
secretary, George Vardas said about Parthenon sculpture's reunifications to Greek paper that now
imperialist patronage of this museum has no limit (British Museum of London will not give back
The sculptures to Greece, 2019). In the against of repatriation, he also said that sculptures that
are displayed in museum tell different stories to people about Parthenon. It makes people aware
about all Muslim, Christian and other cultures. There is a fact about monument's history that
artefacts of some parts are in London and some of them are in Athens where around 6 million
people visit and come for knowing more about them. For more supporting this and make this
argument authentic, Fischer also said that these sculptures were not made for acropolis museum.
In this statement, people of Greek argued and petitioning for the marbles return. The opinion poll

found British arguments strong and true as per the cultural awareness. They also said that British
public is largely in the favour of reuniting sculptures to Athens. There were no active argument
and talk happened between Greek official and the museum. He said that if Greek wants the
sculptures back then there will be requirement for the government to rewrite laws regarding
returning sculptures because now there legal owners are trustee of British museum's. Because
trustee of this museum have responsibility of collecting things for their future generation
conferred and educate people about cultures that it is doing (Chappell, 2017).
Jeremy Corbyn who is the leader of UK's labour party argued and pledged to oversee
their return. He also said that if get a chance of becoming Prime minister then he would
definitely ensure repatriation of Elgin marbles. Fischer again disregarded statement of Corbyn's
view and said that his personal view is not in line with opinion of trustees of British Museum.
So, as per this argument, it can be said that cultural awareness is one of the main reason for
which British Museum should keep Elgin marbles, and they should not return it back to Greece
or country of origin.
Case 3: Parthenon Marbles is all about the case for return
There are some arguments made for repatriation in regards to the sculptures and Elgin marbles
that was being taken by British to Greece.
Argument 1: Appreciation and context: When it comes to given back the Sculptures to
Greece then this basis is being considered as one of the main key. Some powerful people said
that removal of the Parthenon sculptures can be main destruction of unique as well as beautiful
whole. Famous poet Byron wrote a poet in which he praised such sculptures and shown his
sorrow for removal of Parthenon sculptures from Greece. There were some people who present
there at that time and Edward Daniel Clarke was one of them. When some portion of the Elgin
marbles were taken by British nobleman, that time Edward Daniel said that Greece, and he has
proud on missing sculptures. These missing sculptures are used in museum in the shadow of the
acropolis to house so the Parthenon sculptures should be returned to them. In addition, they also
said that director of British museum failed in taking care of marbles. IT was found that in the
year of 1930, British museum scrapped Parthenon marbles with a wire brush as they wanted to
look them whiter. This act removed the actual or their fine details such as: muscles and sinews
(Gill, 2017). So, because they damaged the sculptures beyond repair so, according to this
argument, they should return it back to Greece.

People miss out to understand about classical Greek art as well as culture. They also said
that sculptures play an important role in work of art and removal of these marbles from their
original place or country of origin demean their value.
Argument 2: Cultural heritage: Other basis of argument for repatriation of the sculptures is
cultural heritage. In this regard it is said that pieces that were removed from Parthenon is the
main central or important part of Greek cultural heritage. They also said the main reason of
making such attracting sculptures by Greeks in Greece was to honour the glory of Greece. They
wanted to represent cultural identity of millions of visitors or people. Some questions were also
asked from Britain in order to make them feel the same how Greeks are feeling now. They were
asked that how would they feel if Stonehenge or the most precious thing of their country was
being held by foreign power? So, by listening this and knowing all basis of arguments, it can be
said that Elgin marbles should be returned to Greece by Britain and other countries who are
having pieces of the sculptures (The case for Return: The Parthenon Marbles, 2019).
Argument 3: Legality or ethics: Other main argument was being done on this main
basis in which people who are in favour or returning the sculptures said that Lord Elgin
committed an illegal act. He removed the sculptures from Parthenon and bring them with them to
Britain. At that time, Greece was under control of the Ottoman Empire as it is also being stated
above. But Britain did not mention the fact that is Ottoman Empire was headquartered in
Constantinople but now Istanbul is in Turkey. Elgin that time requested and received permission
from Ottoman authorities. But the fact and the basis on which this argument is being done by
supporters in returning is that: original firman has been and copy of it exists. It is also being said
that Ottoman who was controller of Greece at that time, die not have the right to provide
permission or issue firman in the first place. As an occupying power, they tried to control
Greece. After took out the Marbles by Elgin, The Greek war of independence broke out and then
it became an independent state. So, if it is true that Ottomans were having an illegitimate
occupying power and were not the true or official government of Greece then, the sculptures
should be given back to Greece. Because as per this argument and an illegitimate occupying
power no one has legal right to sign regarding any antiquities (Rooney, 2019).
There is one more case that is for repatriation and in this case some facts and reasons
have been shown that helps in knowing that why Greece should be given the sculptures back by
British. It is said that cultural treasures in ancient civilization should be belonged in places from

where they come. Directors of museum of some countries like Vatican, Germany, America and
Sweden returned all items that they took from the Acropolis. After this incident and taken away
the sculptures, Greece is taking extra care and storing the Acropolis. They have developed some
techniques and tools and by which they are looking after the sculptures in a proper manner. They
have developed museum in way that displays the marbles in a manner they appeared or shown on
the original temple. One of the main basis of argument that show that Britain should return the
sculptures to Greece is damage. It is found that the sculptures or marbles damaged in London.
Pollution also harmed these sculptures. Attempts to clean and making them whiter by British
also caused irreparable damage. They lost their original and attractive values.
So, overall on the basis of these arguments, it is believed that British should give back the
sculptures to Greece for maintaining ethics and legality.
CONCLUSION
It has been summarized from the above study that cultural treasures should be belonged
to places they come from. It increases their value and improve image. Above study argued for
and against of repatriation regarding Elgin marbles by British to Greece. It has also discussed
some facts or basis on which arguments made.

REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Chappell, L.N., 2017. Temporal Forms in the Nineteenth-Century British Mediterranean
(Doctoral dissertation).
Doyle, A., 2018. " The Essence of Greekness": The Parthenon Marbles and the Construction of
Cultural Identity.
Gill, D., 2017. Keeping Their Marbles: How the Treasures of the past Ended up in Museums-
And Why They Should Stay There. J. Art Crime. 18. p.87.
Godwin, H.R., 2020. Legal Complications of Repatriation at the British Museum. Washington
International Law Journal. 30(1). p.144.
Rooney, P., 2019. A 21st Century Empire: The British Museum and its Imperial Legacies. In The
Forum: Journal of History (Vol. 11, No. 1, p. 11).
ONLINE
Elgin Marbles: The Case for Keeping. 2016. Online Available through: <
https://www.futurelearn.com/info/courses/art-crime/0/steps/11901>
The case for Return: The Parthenon Marbles. 2019. Online Available through: <
https://www.futurelearn.com/info/courses/art-crime/0/steps/11902>
British Museum of London will not Return The Elgin Marbles to Greece. 2019. Online Available
through: <https://www.businessinsider.com/london-british-museum-will-not-return-
elgin-marbles-2019-1?IR=T>