Persuasive Essay On Elgin Marbles
Between 1801 and 1805 Lord Elgin, from the Parthenon in Athens, obtained the Elgin Marbles, which consists of pieces of architecture, sculptures, and inscriptions. The Elgin Marbles can be found in the British Museum, which allow people to understand ancient Greek and Athenian history. Since the sculptures are one of the longest cultural rows in Europe, the Greeks want the art to be returned back to their homeland. Because the Greeks believe that the pieces were illegally taken from Greece. On the other hand, Britain believes that Lord Elgin has legally purchased the sculptures from the Ottoman Empire before Greece won its independence. If Greece reclaims the art then other countries will do the same, which will result in American museums losing
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Dominic Selwood said “The Greek government has never sued for the Parthenon sculptures in court because it knows Elgin did not “loot” or “purloin” anything.” On the other hand Vicky Pryce states “The Ottomans were an occupying power against whom the Greeks, with the help of many nations and individuals such as Byron, rose up to reclaim their land just 10 years later. That gives the purchase of the marbles no legitimacy.” But during the time of the Ottoman Empire was when this transaction happened, so Lord Elgin was legally allowed to take the marbles. Vicky Pryce came with a comeback and said “What belongs together should be together. Imagine if English people had to see St Paul’s without its dome or only half of Stonehenge. The marbles don’t make sense out of their natural setting.” Then Dominic Selwood argued with “for example, the National Archaeological Museum in Athens has a large collection of Egyptian antiquities. Should these be returned? Or are museums allowed to acquire pieces legitimately for exhibition to the public? Ultimately, in terms of provenance, there is nothing that puts the Parthenon sculptures into a special category.” There are other museums that have other arts that originally belonged to a different culture and those countries are not wanting their artifacts back from those museums. Over all Dominic Selwood and I believe that the
Dominic Selwood said “The Greek government has never sued for the Parthenon sculptures in court because it knows Elgin did not “loot” or “purloin” anything.” On the other hand Vicky Pryce states “The Ottomans were an occupying power against whom the Greeks, with the help of many nations and individuals such as Byron, rose up to reclaim their land just 10 years later. That gives the purchase of the marbles no legitimacy.” But during the time of the Ottoman Empire was when this transaction happened, so Lord Elgin was legally allowed to take the marbles. Vicky Pryce came with a comeback and said “What belongs together should be together. Imagine if English people had to see St Paul’s without its dome or only half of Stonehenge. The marbles don’t make sense out of their natural setting.” Then Dominic Selwood argued with “for example, the National Archaeological Museum in Athens has a large collection of Egyptian antiquities. Should these be returned? Or are museums allowed to acquire pieces legitimately for exhibition to the public? Ultimately, in terms of provenance, there is nothing that puts the Parthenon sculptures into a special category.” There are other museums that have other arts that originally belonged to a different culture and those countries are not wanting their artifacts back from those museums. Over all Dominic Selwood and I believe that the