The Parthenon marbles, sculptures that once stood as part of the base of the ancient Athenian temple, are widely considered to epitomize Greece’s history, culture and identity as a nation.But according to Greece, they were all but stolen during a time of oppression and later sold to the British Museum where they don’t belong. The Hellenic Republic contends the museum went back on a promise to return the sculptures once it gained its independence.However, the museum claims it rightfully owns the 30 percent …