So, George Clooney decided to throw in his opinion that the Elgin Marbles, housed in the British Museum, should be returned to Greece, as they were once part of the Parthenon in Athens, or "Pantheon" as George mistakenly called it. He got it into his head that Elgin simply marched into Athens in the 19th century and nicked them. He compared them with his latest film, all about stolen Nazi art, being returned to its owners.
The truth is, however, they were removed by permit and then eventually sold to the British Museum. Over the centuries many of the sculptures there had been looted and others simply fell off the wall and were smashed. Locals were burning them to make lime and the Ottomans were using the Parthenon as an ammunition dump. If Elgin had not stepped in they wouldn't exist today. For that, Clooney and the Greeks should be saying thanks.
And if Briton were to be made to send them back, should America not hand Guantamamo Bay to Cuba and Alaska to Russia. Britain could argue that Washington DC is rightfully British and the French can claim the rights to Louisiana. And then the native Americas say, it's all ours anyway, piss off and give it back. Read your history first George.
The truth is, however, they were removed by permit and then eventually sold to the British Museum. Over the centuries many of the sculptures there had been looted and others simply fell off the wall and were smashed. Locals were burning them to make lime and the Ottomans were using the Parthenon as an ammunition dump. If Elgin had not stepped in they wouldn't exist today. For that, Clooney and the Greeks should be saying thanks.
And if Briton were to be made to send them back, should America not hand Guantamamo Bay to Cuba and Alaska to Russia. Britain could argue that Washington DC is rightfully British and the French can claim the rights to Louisiana. And then the native Americas say, it's all ours anyway, piss off and give it back. Read your history first George.
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