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The Parthenon Marbles: The Case for Reunification

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The Parthenon Marbles The Parthenon Marbles: The Case For Reunification

The Parthenon Marbles are a collection of ancient Greek sculptures that were removed from the Parthenon temple in Athens in the early 19th century. They are currently housed in the British Museum in London. The Greek government has been campaigning for the return of the Marbles to Athens for many years.

The Parthenon Marbles were created by the Greek sculptor Phidias in the 5th century BC. They were part of the decoration of the Parthenon, a temple dedicated to the goddess Athena. The Marbles depict scenes from Greek mythology and history. They are considered to be some of the finest examples of Greek art.

The Parthenon Marbles: The Case for Reunification

by Christopher Hitchens

4.4 out of 5

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In 1801, the Scottish nobleman Lord Elgin obtained permission from the Ottoman authorities to remove the Marbles from the Parthenon. Elgin claimed that he was ng so to protect them from damage. However, many Greeks believe that Elgin looted the Marbles and that they should be returned to Athens.

The British Museum has refused to return the Marbles, arguing that they were legally acquired by Elgin. The Greek government has taken the case to the International Court of Justice, but the court has not yet ruled on the matter.

The debate over the Parthenon Marbles is a complex one. There are strong arguments on both sides of the issue. However, I believe that the Marbles should be returned to Athens. They are an important part of Greek history and culture, and they belong in the country where they were created.

Arguments for the Reunification of the Marbles

There are a number of arguments in favor of the reunification of the Parthenon Marbles. These arguments include:

The Marbles were illegally removed from Greece. Elgin did not have permission from the Greek government to remove the Marbles. He obtained permission from the Ottoman authorities, who were occupying Greece at the time. However, the Ottoman authorities did not have the right to authorize the removal of the Marbles. The Marbles are the property of the Greek people, and they were illegally taken from their rightful owners.
The Marbles are an important part of Greek history and culture. The Marbles were created by Greek artists and they depict scenes from Greek mythology and history. They are an important part of Greek cultural heritage, and they should be returned to the country where they were created.
The Marbles belong in Athens. The Marbles were originally part of the Parthenon temple in Athens. They were designed to be seen in the context of the temple, and they have lost much of their meaning since they were removed. The Marbles should be returned to Athens so that they can be reunited with the Parthenon and seen in their original context.

Arguments Against the Reunification of the Marbles

There are also a number of arguments against the reunification of the Parthenon Marbles. These arguments include:

The Marbles were legally acquired by Elgin. Elgin obtained permission from the Ottoman authorities to remove the Marbles. He believed that he was ng so to protect them from damage. The British Museum has argued that the Marbles were legally acquired by Elgin and that they should not be returned to Greece.
The Marbles are better protected in the British Museum. The British Museum has one of the best collections of ancient Greek art in the world. The Marbles are well-protected in the museum, and they are accessible to millions of visitors each year. If the Marbles were returned to Greece, they might not be as well-protected and they might not be accessible to as many people.
The Marbles have become a part of British culture. The Marbles have been in the British Museum for over 200 years. They have become a part of British culture, and they are enjoyed by millions of visitors each year. If the Marbles were returned to Greece, they would be lost to British culture.

The reunification of the Parthenon Marbles would be a symbolic victory for Greece. It would show that Greece is a sovereign nation with the right to control its own cultural heritage. It would also be a victory for the

The Parthenon Marbles: The Case for Reunification

by Christopher Hitchens

4.4 out of 5