Assess The Arguments For The Return Of The Parthenon Marbles

"Assess the arguments for the return of the Parthenon/Elgin Marbles to Greece"
The question as to whether or not the esteemed Parthenon Marbles should be returned to Greece or persist in their contemporary locality in the British Museum has been the subject to rigorous debate from historians, politicians and the general public alike. The major contemporary arguments supporting the return of the marbles to Greece involve the fact that the Greek government has accepted concerns regarding inadequate conservational facilities in Greece and implemented corrections through the building of an entirely new facility known as the Acropolis Museum. Furthermore, the Parthenon Marbles are a part of the culture and heritage of the Parthenon temple and their
The absence of the very artefact that stands as the visual representation of the rich culture of democracy, Euclidian mathematics philosophy and justice, that many modern nations are grounded upon, deteriorates from the natural beauty of the Acropolis site to an immeasurable degree. Furthermore, the individual marble friezes were initially conceived by the sculptor Phidias as a single work of art, and never intended to be fragmented across numerous locations as they currently are. The restoration and unification of the Parthenon Marbles to the area in which they were conceptualised is integral in recreating the perception that was intended for onlookers by the artist who crafted the artefacts in Ancient Athens in 447BCE. In doing so, the artist’s intention and context can be effectively conveyed, therefore allowing a greater appreciation and understanding of Ancient Greek culture. This sentiment is echoed in the words of Leila Amineddoleh, Executive Director of Lawyers’ Committee for Cultural Heritage Preservation. In an article “The British Museum Should Return the Parthenon Marbles to Greece”, she states that “To fully appreciate the artistic and historical significance of the friezes, they should be viewed in their context of the Acropolis mount, a hillside covered with art venerating the gods
It cannot be understated that the tourism industry serves as the economy’s lifeblood, accounting for 5.3% of GDP and 9.1% of total employment, according to publications by the Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development. Coincidentally, the Greek tourism industry has seen significant decline in recent years due to the 2010-2015 government debt crisis, which saw the country in enormous foreign debt, with an excessive deficit of 12.7%. Furthermore, the absence of numerous, prominent Ancient Greek artefacts, namely the Parthenon Marbles, has slowly detracted from the appeal of the country’s historical sites, thus reducing the influx of tourists. There is reason to assume, that a return of the Parthenon Marbles to the Acropolis, will rekindle the appeal of the country’s most prestigious ancient historical site, attracting countless numbers of additional tourists, many of which will invest back into the economy through paying for accommodation, travel guides as well as souvenirs. This will naturally restart the tourism industry’s growth which will have a flow-on effect on the economy as a whole, returning it to a pre-debt crisis stance and assisting in improving the quality of life of the Greek population. As perfectly encapsulated by Stephen Fry, in a debate regarding the returning of the