https://www.greece-athens.com/parthenon/marbles/legal.htm
The law and ethics deriving from the Parthenon
Marbles case
Irini A. Stamatoudi, LLM *
Attorney at Law, Athens and Doctoral Researcher at the University of
Leicester
* The author is grateful for the helpful suggestions made by Prof. Dr. M.
Stathopoulos, Professor of civil law at Athens University, during the
drafting of this article. However, the final responsibility for the text lies
solely with the author.
This article was first published in [1997] 2 Web JCLI, Copyright © 1997 Irini A. Stamatoudi.
Summary
Nearly two hundred years ago Lord Elgin removed vast amounts of Marble
sculptures from the Parthenon on the Acropolis in Athens. This removal and
the subsequent shipment of the Marbles to Britain took place in dubious
circumstances. The Marbles ended up in the British Museum where they
have been on display since. Should these important pieces of cultural
heritage be returned to their country of origin? Should they be re-united with
the Acropolis site for which they were intended and of which they form an
integral part? The answer to this question will be provided after a careful
examination of all legal arguments in favour and against the return of the
Marbles to Greece as they are found in national and international legal
instruments. These arguments will be based on both legal and ethical
grounds.
Contents
Introduction
I. The background to the case