Evaluate The Arguments For Returning The Marbles

Approximately two hundred years ago Lord Elgin relocated Marble sculptures from the Parthenon located in Athens. The Marbles are now located in a British Museum, however Lord Elgin was never granted permission to take the marbles from the rightful home in Athens. These important pieces of cultural artifacts should be returned to their country of origin, undoing a wrong done in the past. There is no doubt in my mind that when you evaluate the arguments for returning the marbles to Athens you will see the counter-argument has no substantial facts. The bottom line is it’s the right thing to do! There is no evidence to support Lord Elgin’s claim that he was granted permission to take the marbles in the first place. The proof is allegedly in an 1801 document signed by the Sultan of the Ottoman Empire, which has been accused as being phony. Even if there was any truth to the document, the royal declaration gives permission “to examine and view”, and also “to copy the figures remaining there”. It is very unlikely the Sultan ever imagined Elgin would remove the sculptures entirely. …show more content…
Evidently one solution must favor one side, the side this paper is promoting is to allow Britain to return the Marbles back to Athens. Safety is no longer a suitable argument because both countries are now capable to provide the protection the marbles deserve. The return of the marbles would “ restore organic elements” and “cultural property” (Merryman 1985,1881-1923). "They are the symbol and the blood and the soul of Greek people ... we have fought and died for the Parthenon and the Acropolis ... when we are born, they talk to us about all this great history that makes Greekness ... this is the most beautiful, the most impressive, the most monumental building in all Europe..."(Merryman 1985,1881-1923). I believe this alone can simply justify why it is fittingly right to return the Marbles to