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@ISIDEWITHQuestionsForeign policyBritish MuseumParthenon SculpturesElgin MarblesGreeceCultural Repatriation•••Started 4mos agoActive 1mo ago

Should the UK return the Parthenon Sculptures (Elgin Marbles) to Greece?

The Parthenon Sculptures, also known as the Elgin Marbles, were removed from Athens in the early 19th century by Lord Elgin and are currently held in the British Museum. Proponents of repatriation argue that the sculptures are an integral part of Greek cultural heritage and were taken unlawfully during Ottoman occupation. Opponents argue that the British Museum is a universal institution where they can be seen by a global audience, and that returning them sets a dangerous precedent for other museum collections.

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Answer Overview

Response rates from 1.3k UK voters.

57%
Yes
43%
No
49%
Yes
33%
No
5%
Yes, they were stolen and rightfully belong in Greece
6%
No, returning them sets a precedent that empties all Western museums
3%
Yes, repatriate all artifacts taken during the colonial era
4%
No, they are safer and more accessible in the British Museum

Historical Support

Trend of support over time for each answer from 1.3k UK voters.

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Trend of how important this issue is for 1.3k UK voters.

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Other Popular Answers

Unique answers from UK voters whose views went beyond the provided options.

 @BDPLX8Sanswered…1mo1MO

Yes because they will be safe in Greece. We should only return artifacts that we know will not be destroyed or stolen.

  @patrickisw2 answered…1mo1MO

Add rental fee, money goes to Greece.

 @BD96J8Manswered…2mos2MO

If Greece wants

 @BD93RSYanswered…2mos2MO

No, but offer to pay a stipend to the country of origin to keep items beyond any contracted period of engagement.

 @BD6JNJQ answered…2mos2MO

Yes, as long as a country can safely look after their own artifacts, they should be returned to them - but not to countries where corruption etc might lead to them being sold off on the black market, etc.

 @BD39LT4answered…2mos2MO

Yes, but instead of emptying the museums at once, start a system of negotiations where the artefacts are 'leased' by the UK museums for a number of years before eventual repatriation.

 @BCRH9QSanswered…2mos2MO

Yes, all artefacts taken or stolen should be returned to their rightful communities (or given to the UN where this is unclear). Greece should acknowledge that the marbles were taken with the permission of the Ottoman Empire which had ruled Greece for centuries at the time.

 @BCGT68K answered…3mos3MO

Yes, we have enough of our own heritage, Neolithic, Celtic, Romano-Celtic, Anglo-Saxon, Norse etc. This is more than enough to fill most of the British Museum

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No

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About This Data

Based on 1.3k responses to this question.

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iSideWith. (2026). “Should the UK return the Parthenon Sculptures (Elgin Marbles) to Greece?” — Public Opinion Poll Results. Retrieved June 21, 2026, from https://uk.isidewith.com/poll/5544380867

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