GELL, William, Sir
The British archaeologist, topographer and cartographer William Gell (1777-1836), studied at Cambridge and was one of the most important scholars specialized in Greece. He travelled in Ithaca (1801 and 1806), Troy (1801), the Ionian Islands (1803), the Peloponnese, Argosaronic islands, Central Greece and Thessaly (1805). In 1812 Gell visited the Greek Orient for the last time, as a member of a mission of the Society of Dilettanti. He also travelled through Italy, where he died.
A prolific artist, he produced about 800 drawings, published numerous works and was especially interested in identifying the place names recorded in the Homeric epics. His conclusions, often arbitrary and ingenuous in spite of his thorough research and documentation, were commented upon by travellers who visited the same places. The personalities of W.M. Leake, E. Dodwell and Lord Byron in the end overshadowed Gell, who although a sincere philhellene had no qualms about severely criticizing the Greeks at the crucial moment of the Greek Struggle for Independence (1823).
In April 1806 Gell travelled from the Morea (Peloponnese) to Ithaca, in the company of H. Raikes and the well-known archaeologist E. Dodwell. They toured Vathy and most of the mainland, to Aetos, Sarakiniko, Kioni, Marathias, Neritos, the monasteries of Archangelos and the Panagia ton Katharon, and elsewhere, searching for remains of the Homeric Age. Gell attended and described celebrations and customs, such as those of Easter (still encountered in the Ionian Islands). He was particularly impressed by the local dances, which he compares to ancient Greek ones. Gell also provides information on the island's population and commerce. His drawings faithfully convey the locations as well as his own bedazzzlement by the Mediterranean spring, and the wealth of history found in the Greek landscape.
Written by Ioli Vingopoulou
GELL, William, Sir - Dardanelles / Çanakkale boğazı / anc. Hellespont
GELL, William, Sir - Rest Images
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Muslim cemetery in the confluence of Karamenders (anc. Scamander) and Simoes rivers.
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The Tombs of Hector and Aesyetes in the vale of Karamenders (anc. Scamander) river.
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Hills around Bunarbaşı, village, erroneously identified in the nineteenth-century with Troy.
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Landscape around the shores of Simoes river in the plain of Troy.
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Title page. Imaginary representation of the city of Troy accompanied by extract from the Iliad.
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The sources of Karamenderes (anc. Scamander) river around Mount Ida, in the Troad.
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South view of Bunarbaşı, village, erroneously identified in the nineteenth-century with Troy.
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Hills around Bunarbaşı, village, erroneously identified in the nineteenth-century with Troy.
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Landscapes in the Troad, from Geykli to the Dardanelles and Troy.
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The confluence of Karamenderes (and. Scamander) river with Simoes, river north of the city of Troy.
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View of Bunarbaşı, village, erroneously identified in the nineteenth-century with Troy.
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Tombs around Bunarbaşı, village, erroneously identified in the nineteenth-century with Troy.
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Landscape near Geykli in the Troad. In the background Tenedos island.
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View of the Tomb of Achilles (Beşiktepe) in Beşika Burnu (anc. Achilleion).
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Landscape in the vale of Simoes river, most probably north of today's village Kalafat.
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View of Bunarbaşı, village, erroneously identified in the nineteenth-century with Troy.
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View of Bunarbaşı, village, erroneously identified in the nineteenth-century with Troy.
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Landscape around Bunarbaşı, village, erroneously identified in the nineteenth-century with Troy.
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Entrance to the Tholos tomb of Mycenae (Treasury of Atreus).
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The interior of the Tholos tomb of Mycenae (Treasury of Atreus)
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View from Nafplio, Bourtzi in the background. View of the Mycenean Acropolis of Tiryns.
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View of the Acropolis of Larissa in Argos. On the left, the monastery of Panagia Katakekrymmeni.
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View of Nafplio. Palamidi fortress in the background, on the left.
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The plain of Troezen from the town's fortress or ancient acropolis.
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View from the Ottoman mansion where the author lodged during his stay at Karytaina.
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Ottoman officials whom the author met at the house of the Ottoman commander of Tripoli.
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The Turkish escort of the author during the latter's stay at the Peloponnese.
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Itinerant Muslim musician from Africa whom the author met during his journey in the Peloponnese.
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Village of Kitries, Messenia. On the left, the tower of the Beys.
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Greek merchant whom the author met on Mount Cyllene, on his way to Corinth.