The BBC has prepared a report on the progress of the new Acropolis Museum. This again raises the issue of the Elgin Marbles, currently in the British Museum. What one must bear in mind is that these sculptures bear a symbolic significance for the Greek nation, whose modern identity revolves around the idea of classical Greece; the ‘purified’ Parthenon, ‘free’ from medieval and Ottoman ’scars’ represents ideas of purity in the nation, an ideal very popular in the 19th and early 20th century. The Parthenon, and the Elgin marbles are undoubtedly important. However, I feel that Greece’s archaeology (and archaeological practice) has suffered from a ‘lust for the classical’, a drive to highlight its classical period, downgrading the Byzantine, Frankish, Venetian and Ottoman influence on the landscape. Although in recent years this idea has been gradually abandoned, the great importance (and symbolism) the Parthenon bears, demonstrates the Greek state’s strong ideological identification (which is nonetheless selective) with a specific historical period. The research and study of classical Greece has been a priority and has claimed the lion’s share in terms of attention and funding. Simply click on the image below to view the video.
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May 7, 2008 at 6:00 am
rhodeslesstraveled
actually, i quite disagree. i dont think it is, as you say, “a lust for the classical”, but a kind of violent tendency towards recovering something they feel they have lost or was taken away from them. since classical greece plays such a large part in our ideas of the beginning of western civilization, no small feat you must admit, you can’t blame them for focusing too much on it and placing everything else into the obscure periphery. i’m glad to find good blogs like this, my regards
check out my site http://www.rhodes.com too
May 7, 2008 at 9:02 am
marioscy
Dear Rhodes,
Thank you for your contribution.
I am referring to a phenomenon that existed in Greece until recently, what people used to call ‘digging through the Byz’. This was a complete disregard for archaeological findings other than classical, which meant that Byzantine and later monuments were ignored or neglected. I agree with the principle that the Elgin marbles should be returned. I am, however, concerned by the central role the Parthenon, the Acropolis and classical antiquity play in the modern Greek psyche. When people end up seeing subsequent periods of history as less glorious or corrupt this translates onto the landscape and its management.
I think your Rhodes website is brilliant, I’ve always wanted to visit the island-hopefully in the near future I will.
May 7, 2008 at 1:15 pm
Matthew
The other periods of Greece’s history are undoubtedly important. On the other hand, Athens was a central point of the classical empire, whereas during many of these later phases it became a comparative backwater. The ideal option, is of course to find a middle ground - where examples from every period can be preserved & live in harmony with one another.