A Piece of Greece in London

The Issue

Surviving Parthenon sculptures .

There’s a complex history behind the Parthenon and its sculptures and we’re not just talking about the ones in Athens. The British Museum is one the most famous museums for showcasing cultural achievements throughout the world. One of the most important collection in the museum are the Parthenon sculptures representing ancient Greece. The question open for debate is whether the surviving sculptures from the Parthenon should be displayed in the British Museum.

How the Parthenon sculptures came to London

It started between 1801-1805, when Lord Elgin, the British ambassador to the Ottoman Empire had full permission to remove nearly half of the remaining sculptures from the ruins and building’s itself. The reason why the ancient sculptures were brought to London was to make an impression and promote the high regard the European Enlightenment had for ancient Greek civilization. The sculptures were first seen in 1807 from Lord Elgin’s temporary museum. It wasn’t until 1817 when it was open for public display in the British Museum.

'Elgin Marbles' have been on permanent public display since 1817.

The Ancient Greece Exhibition

The exhibition is located on the ground floor of the British Museum. It is also combined with artifacts and sculptures from Ancient Rome. The exhibition takes up almost half of the ground floor area. The Parthenon area itself is in one of the largest rooms in the museum. One of the museum attendants explained how important the Parthenon area is to the museum. He said it is one of the most popular exhibitions in the museum drawing millions of people to visit. The issue with Parthenon sculptures is widely known to the public.

Although, there’s much more to ancient Greece than the Parthenon. The exhibition is like a walking timeline. Starting with artifacts from early Greece, vases from Athens 530 BC, and sculptures from Greece and Lycian's from 400-325 BC.

Three Nereids 390-380 BC

The Erechtheum Caryatid

The Nereid Monument

Black-figure Amphora (jar)

Minoan Pottery 1400-1300 BC

Perikles, soldier (Copy of lost)

How Greece Feels

Beginning in the 1970s, the Greek authorities removed all the architectural sculptures from the Parthenon to the Acropolis Museum. Today, visitors in Athens can appreciate the Parthenon sculptures and learn more about ancient Greek history. According to sources from the Acropolis Museum, the Greeks claim the British stole their sculptures from them. There has been a battle between the Greek government and British Museum Trustees over the legal title to the sculptures. The Greek government argued for the removal of all the Parthenon sculptures in the British Museum starting in the 1980s.

Parthenon ruins in Athens.

Remaining Parthenon sculptures in the Acropolis Museum.

British Museum Position

The Parthenon sculptures play a large role in the representation of the culture of Ancient Athens. The British Museum allows millions of visitors to see the sculptures free of charge. The sculptures are being studied and researched by an international community of scholars to understand Greek culture. News discoveries have been made about the sculptures which can be seen on the museum’s website.