Elgin Marbles

The Elgin Marbles or Parthenon Marbles are a series of ancient Greek sculptures of relief  made from marble. They were originally part of the Parthenon temple in Athens but they were taken by Thomas Bruce, 7th Earl of Elgin in the early 1800s. 

Many people, including the Greek government, have argued that Elgin stole the marbles and did not take them legally.  They are on display in the British Museum.  The Greek government asked to have them back many times.  In 2014 UNESCO offered to mediate but the museum declined. 

 History of the removal 
In Britain, the acquisition of the collection was supported by some, while others, such as Lord Byron, likened Elgin's actions to vandalism or looting. A UK parliamentary inquiry in 1816 decided that Elgin had got the marbles legally. Elgin sold them to the British government in that year, after which they passed into the trusteeship of the British Museum.

 References 

Category:Ancient Greek marble sculptures
Category:British Museum
Category:5th-century BC works
Category:5th century BC in art
Category:Acropolis of Athens