Lost Worlds of Ancient and Modern Greece: Gilbert Bagnani: The Adventures of a Young Italo-Canadian Archaeologist in Greece, 1921-1924

During the day, Gilbert Bagnani studied archaeology in Greece, but at night, he mingled with the elite of Athenian society. He secretly wrote for the Morning Post in London, witnessing the antebellum Athens of 1921 and the catastrophic collapse of Christian civilisation in western Anatolia in 1922. Few accounts have been written from the perspective of the west side of the Aegean, but Gilbert's letters to his mother in Rome reveal his Odyssey-like adventures on a voyage of discovery through the origins of western civilisation.

Format: Hardback
Length: 380 pages
Publication date: 29 October 2020
Publisher: Archaeopress

Gilbert Bagnani, a young man of remarkable intellect and curiosity, pursued his studies in archaeology in Greece during the day, while immersing himself in the vibrant social circles of Athenian society in the evenings. Hiding behind the veil of anonymity, he secretly contributed his writings to the esteemed Morning Post in London, providing a unique perspective on the events unfolding in both antebellum Athens in 1921 and the catastrophic collapse of Christian civilisation in western Anatolia in 1922. While numerous accounts by refugees have shed light on the devastating flight from Smyrna, few have ventured to explore the experiences of those on the western side of the Aegean. The arrival of a million refugees in Greece, accompanied by a military coup in Athens, the exile of the Greek royal family, and the execution or imprisonment of politicians whom Gilbert knew, marked a turning point in the country's history.

In his weekly letters to his mother in Rome, Gilbert vividly depicted his Odyssey-like adventures as he embarked on a voyage of discovery, delving into the origins of western civilisation. As an archaeologist in Greece, he traversed through time, witnessing the violent destruction of Minoan Knossos, Byzantine Constantinople, and Ottoman Smyrna. Yet, against all odds, the survivors managed to escape to the new worlds of Mycenaean Greece, Renaissance Venice, and modern Greece.

At Smyrna in the twentieth century, history was not just written by the victors but also etched by the victims. Simultaneously, however, the twentieth century was plagued with reports of ethnic cleansings on an unprecedented scale, which brutally dehumanised the supposedly civilized people reading about them. As a result, the tragedy of Smyrna gradually faded from public consciousness, overshadowed by the cataclysmic upheavals of the First and Second World Wars.

Gilbert Bagnani's writings, penned with passion and insight, serve as a poignant reminder of the complexities and tragedies of human history. Through his eyes, we gain a deeper understanding of the events that shaped the world, and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity. His legacy continues to inspire and educate us, reminding us of the importance of empathy, understanding, and the preservation of our shared heritage.

Weight: 758g
Dimension: 155 x 219 x 28 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781789694529