Parthenon marbles

The Parthenon Marbles, sculpted by Phidias in the 5th century BC, are among the greatest treasures of classical Greek art.

About this subject

The Parthenon Marbles, also known as the Elgin Marbles, are a collection of marble sculptures that originally adorned the Parthenon, the temple dedicated to the goddess Athena on the Acropolis of Athens. Created around 447, 432 BC under the supervision of the sculptor Phidias, these reliefs and statues depict mythological scenes, such as the Panathenaic procession, and figures of gods and heroes. The collection includes 17 pediment figures, 15 metopes (relief panels), and 56 frieze slabs, totaling 75 meters of sculpture.

In the early 19th century, Lord Elgin, the British ambassador to the Ottoman Empire, obtained a controversial permit to remove the marbles from the Parthenon and transport them to England. In 1816, the British government purchased the pieces and placed them in the British Museum in London, where they remain today. Since then, Greece has demanded the repatriation of the marbles, arguing that they were illegally taken and are part of Greek cultural heritage.

The debate over the Parthenon Marbles is one of the most emblematic cases of cultural property restitution. In 2023, the Greek government intensified negotiations with the British Museum, and a mutual loan agreement was even considered. Meanwhile, the new Acropolis Museum, inaugurated in 2009, was designed to house the marbles in ideal conditions, with reserved space for their original pieces. The image, captured by an aerial drone, shows the current perspective of the Acropolis and the Parthenon, where the original marbles have been replaced by plaster copies.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the Parthenon Marbles?

They are marble sculptures that adorned the Parthenon in Athens, created in the 5th century BC by Phidias, depicting mythological and religious scenes.

Why are the Parthenon Marbles in the British Museum?

They were removed by Lord Elgin in the early 19th century when Greece was under Ottoman rule, and later acquired by the British government.

Does Greece still request the return of the marbles?

Yes, Greece has demanded repatriation since its independence, and in 2023 new negotiations with the British Museum considered a possible loan agreement.