Parthenon Sculptures

Facts for Prelims

Parthenon Sculptures

News: Recently, a meeting between the Prime Ministers of the UK and Greece was cancelled due to latter’s comments on the sculptures.

What are Parthenon Sculptures?
• The Parthenon Sculptures, also known as the Elgin Marbles, are a collection of Ancient Greek sculptures from the Parthenon and other structures from the Acropolis of Athens.
• They were created in the 5th century BC under the direction of the sculptor and architect Phidias.
• The sculptures include the frieze, metopes, and pediments from the Parthenon, and are held in various collections, principally the British Museum and the Acropolis Museum in Athens.
• In the early 19th century, Thomas Bruce, 7th Earl of Elgin and British ambassador to the Ottoman Empire, removed the sculptures from the Parthenon.
• The marbles were subsequently purchased by British Museum in 1816.
• Greece has accused Lord Elgin of stealing the sculptures, while he maintained he had permission from the Ottoman authorities.