These 2,500-year-old artifacts, referred to as the Elgin Marbles in Britain, were removed from the Parthenon in the early 19th century by Lord Elgin, then British ambassador to the Ottoman Empire. Greece, which has accused Elgin of theft, has consistently called for their permanent return since gaining independence from the Ottoman Empire. However, these efforts have so far been unsuccessful.
“But in 2025, the marbles may finally be on the move – or, at least, negotiations about their status might take a big step forward,” The Economist notes, highlighting that many arguments against their return have been discredited.
Public opinion in Britain appears to be shifting in favor of repatriation. A 2023 YouGov poll revealed that 49% of Britons support returning the marbles, compared to just 15% who believe they should remain in the UK.
The British Museum’s credibility as custodian of the marbles has also been undermined by a recent scandal involving the theft of thousands of antiquities by museum staff. “The idea that the British Museum is the only competent custodian for the marbles has always seemed slightly spurious, even more so after one of its staff was accused of pilfering almost 2,000 antiquities and selling them on eBay,” The Economist notes.
