Why did lord elgin take the marbles?

Lord Elgin took the Parthenon Marbles from Greece to Britain in the early 19th century, claiming he sought to preserve them from neglect and potential destruction. He obtained permission from the Ottoman authorities, who controlled Greece at the time. Elgin believed that the marbles would be better preserved in the British Museum, where they could be appreciated and studied. This action has sparked ongoing debates about cultural heritage and the repatriation of artifacts.