Background to the assignment: Who “owns” the past? Who has the right to define what the past means...

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Background to the assignment: Who “owns” the past? Who has the right to define what the past means for us today? This assignment will ask you to reflect on these questions. In the course of this assignment, you will discover that ancient history sometimes can be very contemporary! This should remind us that the past is always present with us right now. Many of the conflicts in our world today have very ancient roots—and that’s one of the reasons why it’s important to study the past.Description of the assignment: Go online and find some information about the “Elgin Marbles” (also called the “Parthenon Marbles”). Read a little about the controversy between the British and Greek governments concerning the ownership of these marbles. In a 2-paragraph essay, first summarize the controversy in your own words, and then take a clear position by supporting either the Greek or British side. Discuss two main reasons that support your position. You should not have to do extensive research or reading to complete this assignment well. Your answer should be between 250words. (Include your word count.)
	
Document Preview: Learning Activity 2Background to the assignment: Who “owns” the past? Who has the right to define what the past means for us today? This assignment will ask you to reflect on these questions. In the course of this assignment, you will discover that ancient history sometimes can be very contemporary! This should remind us that the past is always present with us right now. Many of the conflicts in our world today have very ancient roots—and that’s one of the reasons why it’s important to study the past.Description of the assignment: Go online and find some information about the “Elgin Marbles” (also called the “Parthenon Marbles”). Read a little about the controversy between the British and Greek governments concerning the ownership of these marbles. In a 2-paragraph essay, first summarize the controversy in your own words, and then take a clear position by supporting either the Greek or British side. Discuss two main reasons that support your position. You should not have to do extensive research or reading to complete this assignment well. Your answer should be between 250words. (Include your word count.)

Robert · Accepted Answer

2
	Elgin Marbles : A controversy
The extraordinary stone collection, also known as Parthenon Marbles, are the kind of classical and original Greek marble sculptures, inscriptions and architectural items that were part of  temple itself including various buildings on Acropolis of Athens. It is believed that during 1801 and 1805, when Lord Elgin was an ambassador of Ottoman Empire, he procured these marbles from Parthenon. But now the controversy has arisen after the Greeks elevated their voice to return these marbles i.e. its homeland. According to them Lord Elgin acquired these ancient objects illegally amidst of Turkish occupation by bribing some Turkish officials and stealing them without anyone's knowledge. On the contrary, British have completely opposite opinion where they state that the pieces were legally bought from Ottoman prior to Greece's independence. They also added that if they will be returned, this action would set a bad example for several other major museums.
In my opinion, these Elgin marbles should stay in the current place where they are now i.e. British museum only. Several historians of British do regard them as artefacts’ of an Athenian Civilisation in the past too. British museum would lose its best part if the marbles are restored to Greece as the museum is popular for the presence of these Elgin Marbles.

Background to the assignment: Who “owns” the past? Who has the right to define what the past means for us today? This assignment will ask you to reflect on these questions. In the course of this...

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