Why Are The Elgin Marbles So Controversial

That s why they re so controversial the greeks allege that britain took.

Why are the elgin marbles so controversial.

He calculated he had spent a total of 74 000 in expenses and bribes more than a million dollars in today s money. No matter what condition they are in and how they are being cared for they rightfully belong to the athenian people and should be returned to the parthenon. He labelled elgin a vandal lamenting. Nicholas said 01 28 13 at 3 08 pm.

It is the same with the elgin 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. Elgin marbles collection of ancient greek sculptures and architectural details in the british museum london where they are now called the parthenon sculptures. Ever since the marbles were brought to britain they have incited passionate debate.

Contemporary opposition to elgin s acquisition was voiced most famously by lord byron one of the leading figures of the romantic movement. The elgin marbles have been controversial for over 200 years with the acropolis museum in athens which houses the remaining sculptures keeping a space empty for them amongst its current. The so called elgin marbles were part of the parthenon the most iconic building of classical greece and one of the most important buildings in ancient history. 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.

Dull is the eye that will not weep to see. In many ways the marbles are emblematic of the development of modern ideas of national heritage and global display which. This massive temple on the acropolis of athens was built between 447 and 432 bc during the time of the famous athenian leader pericles by the architects iktinos kallikrates and karpion. 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.

The costs of shipping the marbles were paid out of lord elgin s own pocket. The objects were removed from the parthenon at athens and from other ancient buildings and shipped to england by arrangement of thomas.