Petition for the Return of the Parthenon Marbles

[alex_d]

I would just like to ask if there are any members in here who wouldn't mind signing this online petition for the return of the Parthenon ( Elgin ) Marbles back to Athens, Greece.

Return the Marbles - Online Petition

The new Acropolis Museum recently opened and there is a very strong case now for the marbles to be finally returned back to Athens, after spending over 200 years away from their homeplace.

I don't really want to turn this thread into a debate about the situation with the marbles, but merely to ask those who have strong views about it to pop over and sign the online petition.

Thanks

Alex

 

[Theo]

View the video presentation at http://www.bringthemback.org

 

[Tia Wood]

Signed.

 

[Gerry]

Gladly signed.

Unfortunately for me, when I was in Athens during a stint with the USAF, I did not truly appreciate the history.

Later, when I did have the opportunity to go to college, I hold minors in my undergraduate degree in Studio Art and Art History among other specialties.

It was during these studies did I realize the missed opportunity to really appreciate what I saw and touched.

Because of this, I do plan to return to Greece one day, hopefully after the Marbles return.

And, because of my studies, that is why I did not hesitate to pick up GreekSculpture dot net when it dropped.

 

[Theo]

Thanks Tia.

Doc, don't forget to visit the new Acropolis Museum - inaugurated last summer: TheAcropolisMuseum.gr

 

[Gerry]

Thanks Tia.

Doc, don't forget to visit the new Acropolis Museum - inaugurated last summer: TheAcropolisMuseum.gr

I was looking at some of the pics. STUNNING!

We would like to hit the Greek Isles as well and then perhaps on to Cairo, Israel, etc - a culture overload!

I also want to take my wife to Rome and Sardinia.

First, I need to get me in shape.

 

[Theo]

Ha! Forget about getting in shape before your trips! You'd do a lot of walking in Greece. Instead of Sardinia, go to Italy's Sicily - admire the "parthenons" there, built at a scale grander than the Acropolis by the Greek colonists - back then it was called Magna Graecia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magna_Graecia

The sunlight alone will give Hermean wings to your feet. You will seek hidden stores at the streets of Plaka and will rest for an ouzo and a meze at the restaurants. While hungry, your increased appetite will devour fresh salads and fruit - all while shedding pounds from your constant immersion into something that for many existed only in mythology.

The islands will offer you nothing but stark white panoramas against the Aegean blue. Go for the cosmopolitan Mykonos, Santorini and Rhodes but don't avoid the quiet ones in the Argosaronic. Hydra is 45 minutes from Athens and no cars are allowed on the island.

Just remember: Greeks don't shout "opa!" and feta cheese is served sliced, not crumbled

 

[Tia Wood]

LOL Sounds like a travel ad.

 

[Gerry]

Ha! Forget about getting in shape before your trips! You'd do a lot of walking in Greece. Instead of Sardinia, go to Italy's Sicily - admire the "parthenons" there, built at a scale grander than the Acropolis by the Greek colonists - back then it was called Magna Graecia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magna_Graecia

The sunlight alone will give Hermean wings to your feet. You will seek hidden stores at the streets of Plaka and will rest for an ouzo and a meze at the restaurants. While hungry, your increased appetite will devour fresh salads and fruit - all while shedding pounds from your constant immersion into something that for many existed only in mythology.

The islands will offer you nothing but stark white panoramas against the Aegean blue. Go for the cosmopolitan Mykonos, Santorini and Rhodes but don't avoid the quiet ones in the Argosaronic. Hydra is 45 minutes from Athens and no cars are allowed on the island.

I've been to Sicily, but my wife has not.

I know people on Sardinia. Damn, too much on my wish list.

 

[Theo]

LOL Sounds like a travel ad.

It's only a small sample of it all.

 

[Gerry]

I should have been an archeologist or anthropologist. The older the better. I love digs and looking for treasure - and I consider any material objects made by hand eons ago as treasure.

 

[copper]

Signed

 

[keyser]

Flying to Greece (Athens, Corinth, Thebes...) next saturday
Hello to all History lovers !

 

[Raider]

Throughout hundreds of years, the Brits have robbed so many national treasures, And they destroyed so many in the process.

For people who really appreciate these treasures, it's a sick feeling knowing there in a Country where they don't belong... I personally believe every artifact the British has in their Museum should be returned to it's Country of origin, including what they looted from the Valley of the Kings before Tutankhamen was discovered, But that's wishful thinking on my part, it's not going to happen and I doubt it will happen with these Marbles, The British Museum is not going to return something that draws a large crowd and could hurt tourism.

And by remote chance, If they do it for Greece, other Countries will expect the same consideration.

 

[Theo]

Flying to Greece (Athens, Corinth, Thebes...) next saturday
Hello to all History lovers !

Keyser, have a great time, enjoy your stay! Don't forget to visit the Acropolis Museum (the 'old' one is atop the hill, the new one is at its foot).

 

[tonyfloyd]

Flying to Greece (Athens, Corinth, Thebes...) next saturday
Hello to all History lovers !

I also suggest you visit Delphi as well!

 

[alex_d]

Have a great time in Greece Kesper. How long are you planning ot stay for ?? Whilst in Corinth, if you can - try and head south along the eastern coast and visit the ancient theatre of Epidaurus - it is absolutely stunning, and the acoustics are amazing. Delphi is definately worth visiting and is a great place to see, as well as the nearby town of Arachova. And of course, you have to visit the "future home" of the Parthenon Marbles - the new Acropolis museum is perfect. and the way they have displayed the artifacts means that you can view them from all angles - front and back ( some of the statues have such detail on the backs such as the Caryatids where you can see that each had a different hairstyle to the other - I overheard a tourguide explain that this was done in order to better support the weight of the roof that was placed on top of them as they formed the Erechtheion temple ).

Just enjoy yourself and have fun.

And thanks to everyone who has signed the petition at www.ReturnTheMarbles.com - all of your support is really appreciated.

Alex

 

[Gerry]

I was quite stunned when I saw this first reported on CNN this morning:

Greek Men Tried to Sell Stolen Statues for $12M
Twin Statues from 5th Century B.C. Called "Outstanding Works of Art";
Farmers Illegally Excavated Them for Overseas Buyers

I immediately recognized the Kouros style http://kbagdanov.files.wordpress.com/2009/03/greek-art-40.jpg. I studied this form of Greek Sculpture because it may be the earliest forms of free standing sculptures known. Where most earlier (and even modern marbles) have a support build into the forms, these had none. Literally free standing on a base. The value is priceless.

But these farmers found and dug up two more and were attempting to smuggle them out of the country?

Other than the crime, this is an incredible find.

 

[Theo]

There are thieves and charlatans in every race and nation. Smuggling antiquities out of Greece is nothing new. The world media seem to be fixated on Greece right now, however. I mean, most Americans yap about the state of Greek economy and don't realize Goldman Sachs is sucking their blood out.

PS I have Kouros.net btw

 

[Gerry]

It wasn't the smuggling or thievery that shocked me.

The mere fact that two more were found and nearly identical is shocking.