Seen as symbols of freedom in Greece, the Parthenon Marbles were controversially removed from the country by a British diplomat in a move which ignited a debate which has lasted for more than two centuries - and which could now be about to take another significant twist.
The marbles made up around half of the 160-metre frieze at the Parthenon, which is regarded as one of the world's greatest cultural monuments.AdvertisementBritish diplomat Lord Elgin removed the sculptures from the imposing Parthenon temple in the early 19th century.Beginning in 1801, Lord Elgin is said to have overseen the removal and shipping to the UK of the marbles in 170 crates.
In the early 1980s, actress and then Greek minister for culture, Melina Mercouri, reignited the campaign when she made it her mission to secure the return of the marbles. "This is an injustice that has persisted for too long, and in a world of intractable conflicts," said the lawyer, who is the wife of Hollywood star George Clooney.In May 2022, the so-called Fagan fragment - a piece showing the foot of the seated ancient Greek goddess Artemis, was permanently returned to Athens from a museum in Italy.What has been the reaction in the UK?
It comes after then-prime minister Boris Johnson told the Greek premier during talks at Downing Street in 2021 that the issue over the sculptures was"one for the trustees of the British Museum". The Greek prime minister has called for the sculptures to be transferred on many occasions, even offering to loan other treasures to the British Museum in exchange.
The prime minister's official spokesman said:"The Parthenon sculptures are legally owned by the trustees and operationally independent of the government."
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