Greece is dropping its bid to use international courts to force the UK to return the Parthenon Marbles, ancient cultural treasures taken from Greece two centuries ago.  It’s a radical change in tactics from Greece, three months after the Leftist Syriza government was swept into power.

“The road to reclaiming the return of the sculptures is diplomatic and political,” said Greek cultural minister Nikos Xydakis.  “You can’t go to trial on every issue, and in international courts the outcome is uncertain, things are not so easy.”  Xydakis insisted that “low-key persistent work” would accomplish the goal as the climate was gradually changing.

The change in tone from Athens is shocking because Greece had gotten the backing of several international human rights attorneys.  Barely 48 hours before Xydakis spoke, a group of lawyers led by Amal Clooney had given Athens a 150-page dossier urging it immediately take the British Museum to the international court of justice at The Hague.  And if that didn’t work, the attorneys recommended Greece take the matter to the European court of human rights.

The lawyers and cultural campaigners are disappointed, believing that the Syriza government simply isn’t able to handle the worst economic crisis in Greek history and the recovery of cultural treasures simultaneously.  They doubt the UK will change its mind without pressure or a court order.  UNESCO last year offered to mediate the issue, but the UK refused.

Beginning in 1801, the Ottoman occupiers of Greece gave permission to Thomas Bruce, the 7th Earl of Elgin to take the Pathenon Marbles from the Acropolis of Athens.  He shipped them to England, and they were acquired by the British Museum in 1816.