Elgin Marbles (Parthenon Sculptures)

The Elgin Marbles, also known as the Parthenon Sculptures, are a collection of classical Greek marble sculptures that originally adorned the Parthenon temple on the Acropolis of Athens. Created during the height of the Athenian empire in the 5th century BC, they include friezes, metopes, and statues depicting mythological battles and religious ceremonies. In the early 19th century, British diplomat Lord Elgin removed many of these pieces and brought them to Britain, where they are now housed in the British Museum. Their ownership is a subject of ongoing debate between Greece and the UK, with calls for their return to Athens.