Why did the British Museum refuse to give the friezes back to Greece?

The British Museum argues that the sculptures in their collection should remain in London because there’s nowhere to house them in Greece and that the Greek authorities can’t look after them.

Why won’t Britain return the Elgin marbles?

Maintenance work at the British Museum and the pandemic have prevented the Parthenon marbles from being publicly viewed for almost a year. The Acropolis Museum, which was purpose-built to house the classical carvings at the foot of the monument in Athens, reopened in May.

Why does Greece want England to return the marbles?

Perhaps the most impassioned argument for the return of the Parthenon sculptures is that the pieces represent a vital and central part of Greek cultural heritage. That they are the most prominent and symbolic link that modern Athens and modern Athenians have with the greatness of their ancient ancestors.

Did Greece Get the Elgin marbles back?

Boris Johnson won’t return 2,500-year-old Elgin Marbles to Greece as they had been ‘legally acquired’ by British Museum. The 2,500-year-old sculptures were removed from the Acropolis more than 200 years ago and have long been the subject of dispute.

What is the Elgin Marble controversy?

The Elgin Marbles have been controversial for over 200 years, with the Acropolis Museum in Athens – which houses the remaining sculptures – keeping a space empty for them amongst its current display. Greece considers the Elgin Marbles stolen goods and has frequently demanded that they’re returned.

Why did Lord Elgin take the marbles?

According to the British Museum, Elgin was granted a firman (letter of instruction) granting him permission to take away the pieces… … “as a personal gesture after he encouraged the British forces in their fight to drive the French out of Egypt, which was then an Ottoman possession”.

Did Lord Elgin steal the marbles?

Following a public debate in Parliament and its subsequent exoneration of Elgin, he sold the Marbles to the British government in 1816. It has expressed its disapproval of Elgin’s removal of the Marbles from the Acropolis and the Parthenon, which is regarded as one of the world’s greatest cultural monuments.

How did Britain get the Parthenon Marbles?

Known as the Parthenon Sculptures, they are also called the Elgin Marbles, after the Scottish nobleman Lord Elgin, who stripped them from the ancient Acropolis in Athens in 1801 and sold them to the British government in 1816.

Did Lord Elgin have permission to take the marbles?

How did Britain get the Elgin Marbles?

What did the British steal from Greece?

The marbles were taken from Greece to Malta, then a British protectorate, where they remained for a number of years until they were transported to Britain. The excavation and removal was completed in 1812 at a personal cost to Elgin of £74,240 (equivalent to £4,700,000 in 2019 pounds).

Who legally owns the Elgin Marbles?

The British Museum states that the acquisition of the marbles was sound: “Lord Elgin’s activities were thoroughly investigated by a Parliamentary Select Committee in 1816 and found to be entirely legal.”