Elgin Marbles

• The Elgin Marbles, also known as the Parthenon Marbles, are statues designed by the artist Phideas between 447-438 BCE that originally decorated the Parthenon in Athens.

Relocation to the British Museum

• Between 1801-1812, Thomas Bruce, the 7th Earl of Elgin, was authorised by the Ottoman Government to remove approximately half of the sculptures, whilst he was serving as the British Ambassador to the Ottoman Empire during 1799 to 1803.
• The removal of the sculptures was controversial at the time, subject to a Debate in Parliament and continues to be controversial today.
• In 1816 the Sculptures were bought by the British Government and displayed in the British Museum, London, where they can be still be seen today in the Duveen Gallery.

Damaged by War

• On the 26th September 1687 CE, the Parthenon, was badly damaged when a Venetian shell ignited the Ottoman ammunition store inside the Building. The Parthenon sustained damage in other conflicts.