William Gell was an archaeologist, topographer and chartographer who studied at Cambridge, and one of the most important scholars of Greece. He was born in 1777 and died in Italy in 1836. He travelled in Ithaca (1801 and 1806), Troy (1801), the Ionian islands (1803), in Peloponnesus, the islands of the Argosaronic Sea, continental Greece and Thessaly (1805). In 1812 Gell visited the Greek Orient for the last time as a member of the Dilettanti expedition. He also travelled through Italy, where he finally passed away.

A prolific artist, he produced about 800 drawings, published numerous works and was especially interested in identifying the place names recorded in the Homerian epics. His conclusions, often arbitrary and ingenuous in spite of thorough research and documentation, were commented upon by writers who had made the same travels as he. The personalities of W.M. Leake, Ed. Dodwell and Lord Byron overshadowed Gell in the long run. Although an honest supporter of the Greek cause, he did not hesitate to severely criticize the Greeks at the crucial moment of the Greek struggle for Independence (1823).

Like other early 19th century travellers, Gell followed the route of Pausanias, in his journey to the Peloponnese and to a lesser degree while touring other locations. His published works constituted a guide to foreign travellers who were seeking traces of ancient Greece. Gell toured Argolis and, with the locals' aid, was able to identify several ancient locations, mostly of the Mycenaean era, always following Pausanias's text.

This edition is the first of five works by William Gell, which were all published before 1827. The Gennadius Library houses hand-written notes and diaries by William Gell.

Written by Ioli Vingopoulou

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  Map of Mycenae, showing the main sights.

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  Section and plan of the Treasury of Atreus at Mycenae.

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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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  Inscription from the Acropolis of Larissa, Argos. Drawings of several parts of the walls of the Acropolis of Larissa (Argos) and of the Acropolis of Tiryns. Capital of green marble, Mycenae. Wedge of brass, brass nails from the Treasury, Mycenae. Ornamented red marble in a church near the Treasury at Mycenae, [originally part of the reliefs at the entrance to the Tholos Tomb of Mycenae].

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  Gate of the Lions, Mycenae.

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  Gate of the Lions, Mycenae.

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  Gate of the Lions, Mycenae.

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  The Postern gate of Mycenae Acropolis.

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  View of the northeastern (postern) gate of Mycenae.

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  Mycenae.

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  Cyclopian wall on the S. side of the Citadel of Mycenae. Loop hole or window. Cyclopian wall on the E. side of Tiryns.

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  Εικ. 1. Landscape around Üvecik, in the larger area of the city of Troy. Fig. 2. Landscape if the Troad. On the left the Castel of Kumkale. On the right the site of the Tomb of Aias, in the ancient city of Rhoiteion (today Intepe).

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  4.View of the village Babakale at Cape Baba, in the Troad. 5. Landscape near the Cape Eski Stambul in the Troad. The author notes the sites of Alexandria Troad (C) και Tenedos island (E).

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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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  Foundations on the summit of the hill 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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  Landscape around the shores of Simoes river in the plain of Troy.

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  Cold spring of Karamenderes (anc. Scamander) river.

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  West view of Bunarbaşı, village, erroneously identified in the nineteenth-century with Troy. In the background the island of Tenedos.

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  Landscape around Bunarbaşı, village, erroneously identified in the nineteenth-century with Troy. In the background the Dardanelles.

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  Title page. Imaginary representation of the city of Troy accompanied by extract from the Iliad.

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  Εικ. 1. The southern point of the Dardanelles Fig. 2. Hill near Seddülbahir. The author identifies this hill with the Tomb of Protesilaos.

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  The sources of Karamenderes (anc. Scamander) river around Mount Ida, in the Troad.

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  The river Karamenderes (anc. Scamander) and the its outfall to the Dardanelles.

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  View of Bunarbaşı, village, erroneously identified in the nineteenth-century with Troy. In the background the Dardanelles.

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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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  Landscape near Geykli in the Troad.

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  Landscapes in the Troad, from Geykli to the Dardanelles and Troy.

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  Landscape in the Troad, between Kumkale and Beşika Burnu (anc. Achilleion), where according to the legend the Tomb of Achilles is found. In the background Mount Ida.

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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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  Panoramic view of Bunarbaşı, village, erroneously identified in the nineteenth-century with Troy. In the background the Dardanelles.

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  Map of the area around Bunarbaşı, village, erroneously identified in the nineteenth-century with Troy.

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  Map of the plain of Troy.

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  Various landscapes in the Troad: Α. View of Mount Ida. B. View of ancient Atandros (today Altınoluk). C. Cape Baba (anc. Lekton cape) in the Troad. D. View of part of Lesbos island. E. View of Cape Baba (anc. Lekton cape) in the Troad.

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  View of the village Babakale in the Troad.

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  Landscapes in the Troad, somewhere in between Cape Eski Stambul and the Dardanelles. G denotes the site where the Baths of Alexandria Troad are found.

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  View from the Eastern side of Alexandria Troas.

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  Landscape near Geykli in the Troad. In the background Tenedos island.

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  Fig. 1. Landscape around the village of Yenişehir, near ancient Sigeion. Fig. 2. Landscape around Troy. Α denotes the place of the city, while B the place of Yeniköy, where, according to the legent, the Tomb of Peneleos, Achaean soldier in the Trojan War, was found.

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  The confluence of Karamenderes (anc. Scamander) with Simoes river. In the background the hills of the village Çıplak, area where part of Troy VII is found.

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  View of the plain of Troy from the Tomb of Antilochus, on the eastern shore of the Dardanelles, and close to the ancient city of Rhoiteion (today Intepe).

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  View of the Tomb of Achilles (Beşiktepe) in Beşika Burnu (anc. Achilleion).

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  View of part of the Dardanells from the Tomb of Achilles (Beşiktepe). In the background the Castle of Kumkale.

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  Landscape in the vale of Simoes river, most probably north of today's village Kalafat.

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  Warm source of Karamenderes (anc. Scamander) river near the village of Bunarbaşı. In the background the house of the Ottoman Aga, where the author stayed during his visit.

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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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  View of Bunarbaşı, village, erroneously identified in the nineteenth-century with Troy. In the foreground the court of the House of the Ottoman Aga, where the author stayed during his visit.

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  Landscape around Bunarbaşı, village, erroneously identified in the nineteenth-century with Troy.

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  View of the Tomb of Antilochus, on the eastern shore of the Dardanelles, and close to the ancient city of Rhoiteion (today Intepe).

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  Landscape in between the village of Kalafat and Bunarbaşı, site identified erroneously with Troy in the nineteenth-century.

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  Relief and capital of column from Bunarbaşı, village, erroneously identified in the nineteenth-century with Troy.

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  Title page. Ornamented sarcophagus at Epidaurus.

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  Temple of Jupiter, Nemea.

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  Plan of Tiryns in Argolis.

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  Masonry tunnel at the Acropolis of Tiryns.

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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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  Panoramic view of part of the Argolic plain from the Acropolis of Larissa in Argos. In the background, Nafplio and Bourtzi.

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  View of the Argolic Gulf.

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  View of Nafplio. Palamidi fortress in the background, on the left.

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  The ancient theatre of Epidaurus.

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  Plan of the Sanctuary of Asclepius in Epidaurus.

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  The plain of Troezen from the town's fortress or ancient acropolis.

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  View near Hermione.

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  Map of Argolis.

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  View of Palaia Epidavros.

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  Monastery of Mega Spilaion, Achaia.

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  Title page.

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  Franco-levantine inhabitant of the Peloponnese (left) and Greek of the Peloponnese at the service of the French admiral, Pylos.

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  Palaiokastro, Pylos.

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  View from the Ottoman mansion where the author lodged during his stay at Karytaina.

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  Landscape at Neda river.

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  Ottoman officials whom the author met at the house of the Ottoman commander of Tripoli.

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  Greek of the Peloponnese in travel costume.

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  Western European merchants at the Peloponnese. On the left, merchant in Western costume. On the right, merchant in traditional costume of the Peloponnese.

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  The Turkish escort of the author during the latter's stay at the Peloponnese.

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  The Aga of Leontari, Arcadia, exiting his home.

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  Itinerant Muslim musician from Africa whom the author met during his journey in the Peloponnese.

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  Benaki mansion, Kalamata.

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  Village of Verga, Messenia.

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  Village of Kitries, Messenia. On the left, the tower of the Beys.

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  A priest and a believer having a dispute on the motion of the Earth on its axis. On the left, Greek sailor passing by.

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  Tower at Mani, close to Kalamata.

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  View of Mystras.

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  Fragment of Byzantine inscription from Mystras.

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  Landscape at Orchomenos.

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  Landscape at Cyllene plateau, close to lake Doxa.

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  Greek merchant whom the author met on Mount Cyllene, on his way to Corinth.

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  Landscape at the Isthmus of Corinth.