We’re probably not losing our marbles
The Elgin marbles are causing a stir -again- after Boris Johnson and his Greek counterpart Kyriakos Mitsotakis met on Monday. The Greek PM insisted once more that the outstanding sculptures belong to Greece, while Boris shook off responsibility saying it is a matter for the British Museum.
The British claim to the marbles dates back to the 19th century, when the British ambassador to the Empire Lord Elgin acquired the statues and took them home. The documents of the acquisition are nowhere to be found, however, causing a headache for Brits.
Some historians argue the statues should be reunited with their other half in the Acropolis Museum in Athens. Others claim that the marbles have more visibility in the free of charge British Museum.
It is more than unlikely that the British government or the Museum will ever agree to the marbles’ repatriation. They think this could, after all, create a dangerous precedent.