How Do You Spell ELGIN MARBLES?

Pronunciation: [ˈɛld͡ʒɪn mˈɑːbə͡lz] (IPA)

The word "Elgin marbles" refers to a collection of ancient Greek sculptures, which were once part of the Parthenon in Athens. The spelling of the word follows the phonetic transcription /ˈɛlɡɪn ˈmɑrbəlz/. The first syllable is pronounced as "el-gin" with a soft "g" and the vowel sound is "ɛ". The second syllable is pronounced as "mar-bles" with a silent "e" and the vowel sound is "ɑr". The Elgin marbles are an important piece of Greek cultural heritage that is currently housed in the British Museum in London.

ELGIN MARBLES Meaning and Definition

1. The Elgin Marbles, also known as the Parthenon Marbles or the Parthenon Sculptures, refer to a collection of classical Greek sculptures that originated from the Parthenon temple on the Acropolis of Athens. The term "Elgin Marbles" specifically denotes the sculptures that were removed from the Parthenon by Lord Elgin, the British Ambassador to the Ottoman Empire, during the early 19th century.

   Comprising intricate friezes, pediment sculptures, and metopes, the Elgin Marbles are deemed exceptional examples of ancient Greek artistry and are primarily attributed to the renowned sculptor Phidias. The collection showcases various mythological narratives, religious rituals, and historical events, displaying a harmonious blend of grace, proportion, and technical mastery. The sculptures were primarily carved from Pentelic marble, a fine-grained material that enhances their aesthetic appeal.

   Since their removal, the Elgin Marbles have become a subject of considerable controversy and a source of diplomatic tension between Greece and the United Kingdom. Greece has consistently advocated for the return of the marbles to their country of origin, arguing that their removal constituted an act of cultural theft. In contrast, the British Museum, where the majority of the Elgin Marbles are currently housed, contends that Elgin's acquisition was legal and that displaying the sculptures in a global institution allows for their wider appreciation.

   The debate surrounding the Elgin Marbles raises profound questions about cultural heritage, repatriation, and the ethics of removal and display of artworks, making it a subject of ongoing dialogue and scrutiny in the international community.

2. A name given to a collection of anc. sculptures in the British Museum, collected in Athens by Lord Elgin.

   Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Common Misspellings for ELGIN MARBLES

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• elgkn marbles
• elgon marbles

Etymology of ELGIN MARBLES

The term "Elgin marbles" originated from the name of Thomas Bruce, the 7th Earl of Elgin, who acquired the collection of classical Greek marble sculptures. Thomas Bruce was the British ambassador to the Ottoman Empire from 1799 to 1803. During his time in Greece, he obtained permission from the Ottoman authorities to remove several sculptures from the Parthenon and other ancient buildings on the Acropolis in Athens.

The sculptures, including friezes, metopes, and pedimental sculptures, were part of the original Classical Greek temple built on the Acropolis between 447 and 432 BCE. Lord Elgin shipped these marble sculptures to Britain and eventually sold them to the British Museum in London in 1816.

The term "Elgin marbles" became widely used to refer to this collection of ancient Greek sculptures.