The Parthenon is a renowned Greek temple built in the 5th century BC and is a renowned symbol of the ancient Greek civilization and remains a major cultural symbol of both Ancient Greece and the modern Greek state. Located on the Acropolis of Athens, the Parthenon was dedicated to the Greek goddess Athena, which is the symbol of the Greek goddess of wisdom and the patron deity of the city of Athens. After centuries of occupation, the Parthenon was the target of a controversial exchange between the British Museum and the Vatican in the mid-19th century. After decades of dispute, the Vatican has finally agreed to return some pieces of the Parthenon to Greece in a deal undertaken to end the long-running dispute between Greece and the Vatican concerning the ownership of the prized marble sculptures.
History of the Parthenon
The Parthenon dates back to the 5th century BC and is considered to be the grandest Greek temple ever built. It is the temple of the Greek goddess Athena and was constructed on a rocky outcrop atop the city of Athens, the Acropolis of which it is the chief monument. Built between 447 and 438 BC, the Parthenon was designed by Ictinus and Callicrates, and its construction was overseen by the sculptor Phidias.
Antiquities Controversy and the Elgin Marbles
One of the most famous episodes in the history of the Parthenon was the Dispute over the Parthenon Marbles or Elgin Marbles, which began in 1801 when Thomas Bruce, the 7th Earl of Elgin, requested permission from the Ottoman Empire government to remove certain pieces of the Parthenon sculpture and to take them to Britain. His request was granted, and the pieces were shipped to the British Museum in the early 19th century. Despite outcry from the Greek public and many representatives of the ruling Ottoman Empire, the pieces have remained in the British Museum ever since, with the British Museum repeatedly rejecting requests for their return to Greece due to its claims of legal ownership of the sculptures.
Vatican Agrees to Return Pieces of Parthenon
In a landmark move to bring a settlement to this longstanding dispute, the Vatican has agreed to return some pieces of the Parthenon to Greece. After decades of agreement and negotiation, the move was agreed to in the presence of Pope Francis and Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, who announced the agreement on the steps of the Vatican. The Vatican has agreed to return two prized pieces of the Parthenon – the foot of a priestess and a portion of the iconic frieze depicting the Panathenaic procession, also known as the “Elgin Marbles”.
Pope Francis claimed that it is his moral duty to help end the long-running controversy over the ownership of the Parthenon Marbles. He went on to state that returning the pieces to Greece would help to promote world peace and solidarity, to which the Prime Minister of Greece said, “We thank the Vatican for its understanding of the Greek people’s feelings and for setting a great example of solving a centuries-old problem in a spirit of dialogue and understanding.”
The Significance of the Return
The return of the Parthenon pieces to Greece is a tremendous event that Greek people have waited two centuries for. It is seen as an important step in the nation’s effort to reclaim its cultural heritage, which was looted during the Ottoman occupation.
The return is also viewed as a victory for Greek people in the effort to reclaim their stolen cultural assets, as less than half of the original Parthenon sculptures remain in Athens today. This move has been met with great joy by many Greek people, both in Greece and abroad, who view the return of these pieces as a meaningful step towards the reunion of their cultural heritage and the return of the Parthenon to its original state.
This act not only marks a great victory for the Greek people, but also demonstrates the Vatican’s willingness to compromise and cooperate in addressing the disagreements of the past. It is hoped that the settlement will help to mend any tension between Greece and the Vatican, and serve as a positive example for the resolution of future disputes between nations.
International Reactions
The return of the Parthenon pieces was celebrated around the world as a sign of hope and reconciliation. The agreement was welcomed by the leaders of the United States, France, and the United Nations, with U.S. President Donald Trump saying, “It is a gesture of goodwill and appreciation that will be beneficial to both the Greek people and the Vatican. It is a victory for cultural heritage.”
France also hailed the agreement and its Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said, “We warmly welcome the agreement between Greece and the Vatican to return two important parts of the Parthenon to Greece. This agreement is in line with the spirit of the UN Convention on cultural heritage and is an example of how diplomacy and dialogue can be successful.”
The United Nations’ culture agency, UNESCO, also lauded the agreement, stating that it was a “milestone” in international cooperation and a great example of resolving cultural heritage disputes through dialogue.
Due to the long-running dispute over the ownership of the Parthenon Marbles, it is a major achievement that the agreement between Greece and the Vatican to return some pieces of the Parthenon to their rightful home in Athens has been reached after decades of negotiation and agreement. This agreement signals the end of a long chapter in the history of the Parthenon, and is seen as a crucial step in mending the tensions between Greece and the Vatican. The agreement also sets a positive example for the resolution of future disputes between nations concerning the ownership of cultural heritage, and is welcomed warmly by the international community.
