<
https://theconversation.com/the-parthenon-marbles-george-osborne-wants-to-return-the-statues-to-athens-but-can-he-a-legal-expert-explains-197364>
"George Osborne – former UK chancellor and now chair of trustees at the British
Museum – is reported to have negotiated the repatriation of the 2,500-year-old
Parthenon marbles to Athens.
The deal, struck with the Greek prime minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, is not yet
finalised. But it is thought that the sculptures will leave London “sooner
rather than later” and it is planned that the British Museum will receive some
ancient artefacts in return.
Early in the 19th century, the marbles were removed from the Parthenon by
employees of Lord Elgin, then the British ambassador to the Ottoman empire.
There is evidence that he wanted them to decorate Broomhall House, his estate
in Scotland.
But Lord Elgin ran short of cash. After extended bartering, he eventually sold
the sculptures, images of both gods and mythic battle, to the British
government for £36,000 – much less than the costs he incurred in removing them
from the Acropolis.
The sculptures were deposited in the British Museum, under the care of its
trustees. From that point on, they have attracted controversy. Greek
politicians have made repeated requests for repatriation."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
