"The Parthenon Marbles are part of a standing monument," he explained.

Greek officials expressed their hope that the new museum will help in the campaign for the return of the Parthenon Marbles.

"The Parthenon marbles have started to come home."

And while the Parthenon marbles ended up at the British Museum, available to all, there is, presumably, less open access to your living room.

The year 2001 will be the 200th anniversary of the year in which the Parthenon Marbles left Athens.

Most of the old arguments used to justify British possession of the Parthenon marbles have long since eroded, if they were ever true.

European public opinion is in favour of the restitution of the Parthenon Marbles.

British Committee for the Reunification of the Parthenon Marbles is formed.

Their quality is on a par with the Parthenon marbles and clearly demonstrates the high cultural levels reached by many Greek colonies in Sicily.

The Parthenon Marbles are of course also one of the British Museum's greatest attractions.