Back To History

BACK TO HISTORY

Name/ Surname;

Course name

Date

Why Elgin Marble should be returned Back to Greece

Elgin Marbles are inscriptions or a collection of sculptures which are better known as Parthenon sculptures. They were taken between 1801 and 1805 by Lord Elgin from Athens, Greece. They are today located in a British Museum in London. The Parthenon sculptures were given to the British museum by parliament, and they have always remained there since then

However, in recent years, the global community have given reasons why the British government need to consider returning the sculptures back to Greece. This will make the sculptures to be united with the other surviving sculptures in Greece. the sculptures are also considered the best the world has ever had.

One primary reason why Britain should return the sculptures is for democracy. The Athenians made this kind of sculptures after they defeated the Persians in what was termed as Greco-Persians war. The freemen from Greece, which is considered as the first democratic country, were able to conquer and subdue the Persian army, which was made up of professional soldiers. During this period, the Athenians came up with different philosophies art and theatre, which significantly promoted their culture. To many people across the world and especially in Greece, the Parthenon just represented the democratic values that most countries had embraced and have continued to embrace.

According to king Dorothy (2019) Another Britain should consider returning the sculptures is because of the global recession of 2008. Greece has been having to face significant debts and made to operate under tight financial policies which were termed as quasi- slave economy. Suicide rates have significantly increased while youth employment has been estimated to be 50 per cent. Inflations rates are also very high. The country has also seen many refugees coming into the country from worn-torn areas such as Syria and those running away from their countries because of religious extremism and poverty. Returning these sculptures is likely to boost the morale of the citizens and give a reason why they should smile even at these desperate moments. The sculpture is also expected to b boost tourism, thus earning revenues.

The world

According to (palagia 2019) is aware that the Parthenon sculpture belongs to Greece. All across the global communities, there is a committee responsible to reunite people through marbles. Thus, these sculptures should be kept in one place rather than in different places. On the other hand, there is no good reason why the statue needs to be held in a Britain museum. Returning them would also not mean that other museums in the world will be emptied. In fact, museums around the globe have returned artefacts that did not belong to them, without any problem. Returning this artefact will make it be reunited with other works of art

Altruism

In a world where good acts between people and countries are small, this would be a very good example by Britain towards Greece. This will assist in promoting good relationships between countries and people. It would mean a lot to the global community.

Bre-exit and self-interest

According to Spivey 2012 Britain needs to show that even though they have their self-interest, it does not outweigh their altruistic nature of giving back the marbles. Though they left the EU, they need to demonstrate that they still have allies and they can still associate with other countries effectively by returning the marbles.

In conclusion, this marble demonstrates the culture and heritage of the Greeks and not the British people. The Greeks have also tried to loan these items after their attempts to have them returned proved futile. It seems like the British people are not planning to return these beautiful sculptures any time soon.

Bibliography

King, Dorothy. 2006. The Elgin marbles. London: Hutchinson.

Palagia, Olga. 2019. Handbook of Greek Sculpture.

Spivey. 2012. Greek sculpture. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.