The Return of the Parthenon Marbles and the Law

Abstract

The subject of the Parthenon Marbles, known in the past as the “Elgin
Marbles”1 is sufficiently well known to provide an extensive historical review.
Some elements will, however, be mentioned during the introduction because
they are closely related to the legal context under consideration. We can, however,
briefly refer to the events of the time. Lord Elgin, Ambassador of Great
Britain to the High Gate, obtained permission in 1801 from the Grand Vizier to
remove stones and marbles from the Parthenon and to export them from Ottoman
territory2. This operation lasted until 1812 and Lord Elgin transported to
London a large number of parts of the Parthenon’s vivisection and metopes.