What Are The Elgin Marbles And Why Are They Important

The elgin marbles.

What are the elgin marbles and why are they important.

The elgin marbles refer to a collection of ancient greek sculptures and architectural details dating back to the fifth century bc which are currently kept in the british museum london. Elgin marbles collection of ancient greek sculptures and architectural details in the british museum london where they are now called the parthenon sculptures. γλυπτά του παρθενώνα also known as the elgin marbles ˈ ɛ l ɡ ɪ n are a collection of classical greek marble sculptures made under the supervision of the architect and sculptor phidias and his assistants. The objects were removed from the parthenon at athens and from other ancient buildings and shipped to england by arrangement of thomas bruce 7th lord elgin who was british.

At its broadest the term elgin marbles refers to a collection of stone sculptures and architectural pieces which thomas bruce seventh lord elgin gathered during his service as ambassador to the court of the ottoman sultan in istanbul. They were originally part of the temple of the parthenon and other buildings on the acropolis of athens. That s why they re so controversial the greeks allege that britain took. From a public opinion standpoint.

But what are they and why the diplomatic row. Why are the elgin marbles so controversial and everything else you need to know the british museum has lent one of the elgin marbles to russia. The elgin marbles a collection of stone sculptures and inscriptions more properly known as the parthenon sculptures was acquired by lord elgin in athens greece between 1801 and 1805 and today lives in london s british museum. A poll conducted in october 2014 by the british polling agency yougov found that more british people believe that the elgin marbles should be returned to greece than believe they should be kept in britain.

Voices seven reasons to return the elgin marbles to greece. The poll found that 37 of. The parthenon marbles of course were taken or rescued depending on your point of view from the acropolis by lord elgin in the early nineteenth century when greece was part of the. Two hundred years ago the uk bought sculptures from the parthenon from the earl of elgin it s time to send them back and here s why.

The elgin marbles do not need to be in london to share them with the world.