MUSEUMS AND ANCIENT HISTORY (2): THE ELGIN MARBLES

RESOLVED:  "The Elgin Marbles should be returned to Greece."

• THE PROCEDURE:  Using the resources below as your guide, research the history of the Elgin Marbles and familiarize yourself with some of the arguments used for and against the return of the Parthenon Marbles to Athens.  We will not have a formal debate, but we still will spend the first several minutes of Wednesday's class discussing the pros and cons of the resolution above, before broadening out our discussion to assess the significance of the Elgin Marbles controversy.

Starting Places

• Mary Beard, "Lord Elgin -- Saviour Or Vandal," BBC History.

• Wikipedia -- Elgin Marbles:  An entry from the on-line encyclopedia.

Elgin Marbles In The News

•   Special Report -- Parthenon Marbles:  A large anthology of news articles from the British-based Guardian.

• Michael Kimmelman, "Who Draws The Borders Of Culture?," New York Times, May 5, 2010.

• Michael Kimmelman, "Elgin Marble Argument In A New Light," New York Times, June 23, 2009.

• Nicole Itano, "Showcased At Greece's New Acropolis Museum: Missing Artifacts," Christian Science Monitor, June 21, 2009.

• "Greece Urges Return Of Sculptures," BBC News, June 21, 2009.

• "In Pictures: Acropolis Museum," BBC News, June 20, 2009.

• Christopher Hitchens, "Opinion: A Home For The Marbles," New York Times, June 18, 2009.

• "Greece 'Would Refuse Marble Loans,'" BBC News, June 12, 2009.

• Malcolm Brabant, "New Home For Greece's Holy Grail," BBC News, May 7, 2008.

• Nicolai Ouroussoff, "Where Gods Yearn For Long-Lost Treasures," New York Times, October 28, 2007.

• "Greece Restates Claim To Elgin Marbles," New York Times, September 25, 2007.

•   Trevor Timpson, "Fear And Fury Among The Marbles," BBC News, September 12, 2007.

•   "Talks On Elgin Marbles Row," BBC News, May 10, 2007.

•   "Ancient Wreath Returns To Greece," BBC News, March 30, 2007.

•   "Greek Pupils Demand Elgin Marbles," BBC News, January 30, 2007.

•   Malcolm Brabant, "Swede Gives Back Acropolis Marble," BBC News, November 10, 2006.

•   "'No Bid' To Halt Sculpture Return," BBC News, October 24, 2006.

•   Trevor Timpson, "Return The Marbles?: Forget It," BBC News, January 19, 2006.

•   "Law Blocks Return Of Looted Art," BBC News, May 27, 2005.

• "Case Could Force Marbles' Return," BBC News, May 25, 2005.

•   "Countries Battle Over Artefacts," BBC News, July 27, 2004.

• Dorothy King, "Elgin Marbles: Fact Or Fiction?," Guardian Unlimited, July 21, 2004.

•   James Bregman, "The Real Story Of The Elgin Marbles," BBC News, June 25, 2004.

• "New Life For Old Elgin Marbles?," BBC News, March 23, 2004.

• "What's Been Said About The Marbles," BBC News, March 23, 2004.

• "Talks Planned Over Elgin Marbles," BBC News, January 22, 2004.

•   "Elgin Marbles Campaign Launches," BBC News, January 14, 2004.

• "'No Return' For Elgin Marbles," BBC News, February 23, 2003.

•   "Greek Minister On Marbles Mission," BBC News, November 11, 2002.

•   "Stars Campaign To Return Elgin Marbles," BBC News, January 17, 2002.

•   "Elgin Marbles: The Story So Far," BBC News, November 30, 1999.

Elgin Marbles: Articles

• Richard Covington, "Acropolis Now: A Modern Museum Of Ancient Greece Rises Near The Parthenon," Smithsonian (February 2008).

• Josie Appleton, "The Anti-Bloomsbury Set: The Elgin Marbles Are More At Home In The British Museum Than They Would Be In Athens," Spiked-Online (March 3, 2002).

Elgin Marbles: Web-Sites

• Parthenon Marbles:

• Elginism:

• Restitution Of The Parthenon Marbles:

• Committee For The Reunification Of The Parthenon Marbles:

Elgin Marbles: Audio And Video Sources

• "Losing Their Marbles," ABC Foreign Correspondent, October 7, 2008.

• "Video: Parthenon Marbles Battle," National Geographic News, January 28, 2008.

• BBC Museum -- Greece, Parthenon (Room 18):