Chit - Chat for CruisersOpen Forum for non-cruise posts. Please refrain from inflammatory rhetoric that could be considered offensive. We reserve the right to edit or delete for any reason.
There were high hopes around the world that when Great Britain hosts the Olympics, public opinion would force them to return the Elgin Marbles to Greece. Sadly it appears that this is not going to happen.
These statues, of course, are the marvelous ones that filled the triangular space at each end of the Parthenon on top of the Acropolis. Lord Elgin removed them to Britain in the 1800's and Britain steadfastly refuses to return them.
The wonderful new Museum of the Acropolis has on its third floor a full scale display of the carvings from the top of the Parthenon. At each end is a triangular entablature with space to hold the wonderful carvings which are now in the British Museum. There is nothing in the space except a little card stating that the carvings were removed to another country.
Surely this wonderful museum in the shadow of the Acropolis is where the carvings belong. More public pressure is needed to shame Britain before the Olympics.
Mike, I strongly agree. I have been to Greece many times but never saw the Elgin Marbles until 2010. There is really no good reason that they shouldn't be returned; except, the precedent that would be set. If every "source" nation "demanded" returns of their antiquities, AND, if ICJ or UN backed them, it could lead to blackmail or forced emptying of museums around the world. Take it one step further, could zoos be forced to repatriate all animals to their native lands?
__________________
Marc
"The test of a first rate intelligence is the ability to hold two opposed ideas in the mind at the same time and still retain the ability to function."
F Scott Fitzgerald
Seven Seas Navigator (12nts) - San Francisco - Vancouver - May13
Silversea Silver Explorer (23nts) - Kangerlussuaq, Greenland - Nome, Alaska - Aug 14
Mike, I strongly agree. I have been to Greece many times but never saw the Elgin Marbles until 2010. There is really no good reason that they shouldn't be returned; except, the precedent that would be set. If every "source" nation "demanded" returns of their antiquities, AND, if ICJ or UN backed them, it could lead to blackmail or forced emptying of museums around the world. Take it one step further, could zoos be forced to repatriate all animals to their native lands?
Well in fact many precedents have already been set. Lots of art and antiquities have been returned to their native countries.
The British Museum always used the excuse that Greece had no suitable place to display them. The New Museum of the Acropolis is a total refutation of that idea.
Greece is not asking for the return of all antiquities scattered around the world. But these particular marble statues are unique and occupy a unique place in world history and art. Creating an exception to a rule because the unique value is recognized would not be an unhealthy precedent.
If every "source" nation "demanded" returns of their antiquities, AND, if ICJ or UN backed them, it could lead to blackmail or forced emptying of museums around the world. Take it one step further, could zoos be forced to repatriate all animals to their native lands?
It has already started; a city in France is demanding British return crown jewels.
"The test of a first rate intelligence is the ability to hold two opposed ideas in the mind at the same time and still retain the ability to function."
F Scott Fitzgerald
Seven Seas Navigator (12nts) - San Francisco - Vancouver - May13
Silversea Silver Explorer (23nts) - Kangerlussuaq, Greenland - Nome, Alaska - Aug 14
Connect with Facebook
Olympics and Elgin Marbles
Precedent
Linear Mode
