Lucas’ belief that the marbles should be returned to their place of origin, Athens
I agree with Lucas’ belief that the marbles should be returned to their place of origin, Athens. Your thought that history is often enhanced by studying it in its place of origin lays a proper basis for the need to repatriate the artifacts to Greece. It is also true that the newly opened Acropolis Museum can host the marbles. Therefore, the British government should not doubt the Greek’s capability of hosting the art pieces. I also agree with your third point that the sculptures are infinitely more important to the Greeks than the British. With the persistent request by the Greece government to have their art back, it shows how significant these objects are to them. The British clamor for the marble is wrong.
I concur with your explanation that museums in New York and Britain can have perfect replicas of the objects rather than the actual pieces. The art to them is for educational purposes. The significance of the original pieces is higher in Greece than in Britain. You have raised a significant point that museums are focusing in different areas and thereby losing the particular importance of the marbles. Hence, the justification for having the replicas in Britain and the original in Athens.
I’m afraid I have to disagree with their opinion that Elgin Marbles bears no blame in the whole conflict. Elgin’s actions, according to you, are right, which is contrary to what he did. Elgin aided the Ottoman Empire in oppressing the Greek people. He facilitated this by acquiring the art objects and hence helped propagate the loss of the Greek culture. Lord Elgin bears the blame for the conflict that has been there between Britain and Greece regarding the Parthenon marbles.
Your depiction of Britain’s attitude towards Greece as one of an inferior nation is spot-on. The fact that Britain is willing to send part of their Greek art to Russia shows how lowly Britain treat Greece. It is unfair for Greece to have the replicas while the originals are changing hands from one European power nation to another. Art is the identity of the people. It is not an object to be passed around to the highest bidder who bears no significant cultural value towards the artifact. However, I can’t entirely agree with your suggestion that we should no judge Lord Elgin on whether he acted on good faith or not. It is known that the Ottoman Empire was oppressive. Lord Elgin, must have known the value of those pieces of art to ship them to Britain and have the British parliament rubber stamp their approval. Hence, Elgin’s morality should be considered in determining where the marbles should go, their original homes.
I partially agree with your conclusion that not all works of art should be returned to their places of origin. However, it would help if you had listed criteria to determine what artifacts should be replaced and those that should not be returned. I believe any illegally acquired piece of art should be returned to its country of origin. I think that foreign countries that want to showcase the art of other states should use perfect replicas to serve their purpose. In conclusion, I agree with your ultimate argument that the Parthenon marbles should be returned to Greece.