Prof Irene Stamatoudi, who I learn is a former advisor to the Greek government, says “a deal is close” that would enable the return of the Elgin marbles, also known as the Parthenon Sculptures, to their rightful place in Greece. As someone who, until recently, thought that the Elgin Marbles were actually marbles, like the ones I used to pay with and still get endless pleasure from watching Marbula One events on YouTube, I have a very straightforward opinion: let’s give them back.
My suspicion is that most Brits don’t give a toss about them, either, and would be content, if they cared at all, to see the British Museum let them go. Prof Stamatoudi adds that getting the marbles back is something “all Greeks are passionate about”. All I can say is that I have been a regular visitor to Greece in the last 40 years or so and not a single Greek person has come up to me and said, “Look, mate. Let me have the marbles back. I am passionate about them.” If they had, I’d have assured them of my indifference and said I certainly wouldn’t stand in their way if the bailiffs turned up and stuck them on an Aegean Airways flight to Athens.
Perhaps the Museum proprietors, along with the government of the day, are more worried about setting a precedent. After all, the British Museum, not that I have ever been there, has exhibits from everywhere, including Africa, Egypt and the Roman Empire. Encouraged by the British government caving in and handing Greece back its beloved marbles, others might start getting ideas, which might eventually leave the museum looking a bit bare. Who knows?
It says here that the Marbles were crafted in the 5th Century BC (how did they know Christ was coming along five years later?) and stolen from Athens over 200 years ago by the conveniently named Lord Elgin, a British aristocrat of the time. I am assuming he didn’t carry out the theft all on his own because they look quite sturdy and this was all some time before Athens International Airport Eleftherios Venizelos was built. Presumably, he carted them off to the port of Piraeus and slipped quietly onto a nearby boat. Clearly, the Athenians were not particularly attentive at the time.
You can ask how I might feel if the Greeks had pilfered something very British and refused to give it back, say the Crown Jewels, but if it was over 200 years ago, I can’t say I’d get into a state about it. I am more concerned that a third of British children are suffering from food insecurity and the world’s climate is in total disarray. To be honest, I’m more concerned about Liverpool’s increasing injury list at the moment, than anything else.
No. Let’s give them their marbles before we lose ours. Some things are worth fighting for, but a bunch of old marbles which aren’t really marbles as we know them? Not for me, I’m afraid.
