Archive reference code and name of the respective archive:
The Secretariat (Ministry) for Ecclesiastical Affairs and Public Education archive, 6 Archaelogical Service, File 44, sub-file 7

Description: Hand written document with dark brown ink, with notes in red ink and graphite. On the top left corner, the document bears a lithograph printed coat of arms. The paper support of the document is European, machine made, wove, medium weight, cream colour. The document is a part of a long stitch ledger binding. The limp paper cover is made of a light blue, European, wove, heavy weight paper and bears a lithograph printed title.

Dimensions: 35.6x23x3 cm

The file belongs to the "Secretariat (Ministry) of Ecclesiastical Affairs and Public Education" archive (1833-1862) and it is a representative sample of a structured file of the King Otto period. The records selected display the early efforts to restore and promote the Acropolis to remove the interventions it had suffered as well as the Greek government's efforts to have the reliefs from the temple of Apteros Nike returned.

Date: 1836
Language: French

Content of the document:
To the Secretariat of State,
From the Secretary for Ecclesiastical Affairs and Public Education
Athens 18/30 June 1836

On the reliefs from the temple of Apteros Nike

Sire,
In response to Your Majesty's decree no. 12062 dated 12/24 of the present month, I hasten to submit the information you requested on the aforementioned matter.

The four sections from the frieze of the Temple of Apteros Nike bear numbers 158, 159, 160 and 161 in the British Museum catalogue. Each one has an average length of 6-7 English feet, i.e. a total of 25-26 feet in all. Two of them depict battle scenes between Greeks, in the opinion of the archaelogists who have been occupied with them to date; the other two scenes depict Greek hoplites fighting Persian horsemen.

As the exchange proposed to the English government, the Ephor of Antiquities is of the opinion that instead of antiquities, copies of other reliefs from the frieze that have not yet been published could be offered. This form of publication should be perceived, according to the precepts that have been established between European museums, as a very great favour. England, for example, has not yet published the copies of the frieze from Phigaleia that are in the Royal Museum in France or in other museums. Even if these copies could not be regarded as a fair trade for the four original pieces, one would expect justice and some manifestation of a spirit of philhellenism on the part of the English government which should, on its own initiative, offer to return the four pieces that were removed by Lord Elgin, since the building to which they belong has, despite expectations to the contrary, been absolutely restored.

The Minister is awaiting impatiently the arrival of the sculptor Imhof so that work can begin on the casting of the copies.

In anticipation of Your Majesty's further instructions,
        I am with respect,
            Sire,
            Your Majesty's
Most humble and obedient servant and loyal subject,
            I. Rizos

"To the Secretariat of State,
From the Secretary for Ecclesiastical Affairs and Public Education
Athens 18/30 June 1836

On the reliefs from the temple of Apteros Nike

Sire,

In response to Your Majesty's decree no. 12062 dated 12/24 of the present month, I hasten to submit the information you requested on the aforementioned matter.

The four sections from the frieze of the Temple of Apteros Nike bear numbers 158, 159, 160 and 161 in the British Museum catalogue. Each one has an average length of 6-7 English feet, i.e. a total of 25-26 feet in all. Two of them depict battle scenes between Greeks, in the opinion of the archaelogists who have been occupied with them to date; the other two scenes depict Greek hoplites fighting Persian horsemen."

"As the exchange proposed to the English government, the Ephor of Antiquities is of the opinion that instead of antiquities, copies of other reliefs from the frieze that have not yet been published could be offered. This form of publication should be perceived, according to the precepts that have been established between European museums, as a very great favour. England, for example, has not yet published the copies of the frieze from Phigaleia that are in the Royal Museum in France or in other museums. Even if these copies could not be regarded as a fair trade for the four original pieces, one would expect justice "

" and some manifestation of a spirit of philhellenism on the part of the English government which should, on its own initiative, offer to return the four pieces that were removed by Lord Elgin, since the building to which they belong has, despite expectations to the contrary, been absolutely restored.

The Minister is awaiting impatiently the arrival of the sculptor Imhof so that work can begin on the casting of the copies.

In anticipation of Your Majesty's further instructions,

        I am with respect,
            Sire,
            Your Majesty's

Most humble and obedient servant and loyal subject,
            I. Rizos"