Stolen Marbles

A controversial permit from Ottoman authorities was granted to Thomas Bruce, 7th Earl of Elgin, the British ambassador.  Between 1802 and 1812 Elgin's agents removed about half of the surviving sculptures of the Parthenon and transported them by sea to Britain.  They were purchased by the British govermment in 1816 and placed in the British Museum.  Critics compare Elgin's actions to vandalism or looting and most Greeks demand "give us back our marbles".  Should the marbles remain in the British Museum or be returned to Athens?

 

An exquisite view of a section of the Parthenon Marbles, part of a collection known as the Elgin Marbles, currently displayed in the British Museum, London.