The Parthenon Sculptures
Periodically, the question of where the surviving sculptures
from the Parthenon should now be displayed becomes a subject of
public discussion. This page provides key information for
understanding the complex history of the Parthenon and its
sculpture. The main arguments of the debate are also presented
here. For another view, see the website of the Hellenic Ministry of
Culture: www.culture.gr
What is the Parthenon and how did the sculptures come to
London?
The Parthenon in Athens is a building with a long and complex
history. Built nearly 2,500 years ago as a temple dedicated to the
Greek goddess Athena, it was for a thousand years the church of the
Virgin Mary of the Athenians, then a mosque, and finally an
archaeological ruin. The building was altered and the sculptures
much damaged over the course of the centuries. The first major loss
occurred around AD 500 when the Parthenon was converted into a
church. When the city was under siege by the Venetians in 1687, the
Parthenon itself was used as a gunpowder store. A huge explosion
blew the roof off and destroyed a large portion of the remaining
sculptures. The building has been a ruin ever since. Archaeologists
worldwide are agreed that the surviving sculptures could never be
re-attached to the structure.
By 1800 only about half of the original sculptural decoration
remained. Between 1801 and 1805 Lord Elgin, the British ambassador
to the Ottoman Empire of which Athens had been a part for some 350
years, acting with the full knowledge and permission of the Ottoman
authorities, removed about half of the remaining sculptures from
the fallen ruins and from the building itself. Lord Elgin was
passionate about ancient Greek culture and transported the
sculptures back to Britain. The arrival of the sculptures in London
had a profound effect on the European public, regenerating interest
in ancient Greek culture and influencing contemporary artistic
trends. These sculptures were acquired from Lord Elgin by the
British Museum in 1816 following a Parliamentary Select Committee
enquiry which fully investigated and approved the legality of Lord
Elgin’s actions. Since then the sculptures have all been on display
to the public in the British Museum, free of entry charge.
Where can the surviving sculptures from the Parthenon be
seen?
Sculptures surviving from the Parthenon are located in museums
in six different countries. The majority of the sculptures are
roughly equally divided between Athens and London, while important
pieces are also to be found in other major European museums,
including the Louvre and the Vatican.
1. Parthenon Sculptures in Athens
Recently the Greek authorities have continued the process of
removing the sculptures from the Parthenon, work that began over
200 years ago. Nearly all of the sculptures have now been removed
from the building. They are displayed at the New Acropolis
Museum.
2. Parthenon Sculptures in London
The sculptures in London, sometimes known as the ‘Elgin
Marbles’, have been on permanent public display in the British
Museum since 1817, free of charge. Here they are seen by a world
audience of five million visitors a year and are actively studied
and researched to promote worldwide understanding of ancient Greek
culture. The Museum has published the results of its research
extensively.
3. Parthenon Sculptures in other museums
The following institutions also hold sculpture from the
Parthenon:
- Musée du Louvre, Paris
- Vatican Museums
- National Museum, Copenhagen
- Kunsthistorisches Museum,Vienna
- University Museum, Würzburg
- Glyptothek, Munich
What has the Greek Government asked for?
Since the early 1980s Greek governments have argued for the
permanent removal to Athens of all the Parthenon sculptures in the
British Museum.
The Greek government has also disputed the British Museum
Trustees’ legal title to the sculptures. For more information on
the Greek Government’s official position, see the website of the
Hellenic Ministry of Culture: www.culture.gr
What is the British Museum’s position?
The British Museum exists to tell the story of cultural
achievement throughout the world, from the dawn of human
history over two million years ago until the present
day. The Museum is a unique resource for the world: the
breadth and depth of its collection allows the world public
to re-examine cultural identities and explore the complex
network of interconnected world cultures. Within the context
of this unparalleled collection, the Parthenon sculptures are
an important representation of ancient Athenian
civilisation.
Each year millions of visitors, free of charge, admire the
artistry of the sculptures and gain insights on how ancient Greece
influenced, and was influenced by, the other civilisations that it
encountered.
The Trustees of the British Museum warmly welcome the opening of
the New Acropolis Museum which will allow the Parthenon sculptures
that are in Athens to be appreciated against the backdrop of
ancient Greek and Athenian history. The new museum, however, does
not alter the Trustees’ view that the sculptures are part of
everyone’s shared heritage and transcend cultural boundaries. The
Trustees remain convinced that the current division allows
different and complementary stories to be told about the surviving
sculptures, highlighting their significance for world culture and
affirming the universal legacy of Ancient Greece
The following books provide good introductions to the Parthenon
and its sculptures:
Mary Beard, The Parthenon (Profile, 2002)
Brian Cook, The Elgin Marbles (BM Press, 1984)
Ian Jenkins, The Parthenon Frieze (BM Press, 1994)
Ian Jenkins, The Parthenon Sculptures in the British
Museum (BM Press, 2007)
William St Clair, Lord Elgin and the Marbles (3rd edition
Oxford University Press, 1998)
These titles, and others, are available in the British Museum
shop.
For further information or images please contact Hannah Boulton
in the Press Office. Tel: +44 (0)20 7323 8583/8522 or e-mail
communications@britishmuseum.org