Bonaparte à Malte
Encyclopedia
Bonaparte à Malte is a 2008 book by Maltese writer Frans Sammut
, with an introduction by Dr Paul Borg Olivier
. The Maltese original, Bonaparti f'Malta, was published in 1997.
Citing contemporary documents from Malta
's archives, it provides a detailed account of the six days Napoleon Bonaparte spent in Malta in 1798, as well as an analysis of the political situation under the Order of St John of Jerusalem and the political and cultural consequences of Bonaparte's conquest of Malta.
In the words of fellow writer and former Prime Minister of Malta
, Alfred Sant
, Napoleon and his impact on Malta were "enduring subjects of [Sammut's] interests and research".
It is the first account in the French language of those six days. At the Eighth Congress of the International Napoleonic Society
, Sammut gave a presentation, "The Enlightenment in Malta and the Coming of Bonaparte", based on his research for Bonaparte à Malte.
Sammut maintained that Napoleon, despite spending such a short time in Malta, sought singlehandedly to draw the country into the modern world. He issued a series of decrees aimed at bringing about a thorough reorganization of government and society in Malta, and tirelessly sought to review the country's laws and regulations. The abolition of noble titles and privileges and the ending of slavery were the first measures he implemented. He ordered the expulsion of the Inquisitor
and the release of the Order's political prisoners, including the Maltese patriot, Mikiel Anton Vassalli
, who shared his Enlightenment
ideals and whom he described as "the most intelligent prisoner (ever) locked in a cell". Voicing his surprise that fundamental subjects such as mathematics, physics and astronomy were not yet being taught at the University of Malta
, he also instituted a series of educational reforms.
Sammut characterized Napoleon as "a different kind of leader... more of an intellectual strategist and philosopher", a quality placing him in the highest rank of commander together with Julius Caesar
and Alexander the Great.
Some of Sammut's research for Bonaparte á Malte also went into his 1994 historical novel about Vassalli, Il-Ħolma Maltija (The Maltese Dream), described by Alfred Sant as "his masterpiece" and by British author and poet Marjorie Boulton
as "a colossal work".
Frans Sammut
Frans Sammut was a Maltese novelist and non-fiction writer.-Life:Sammut was born in Zebbug, Malta. He studied at the Zebbug Primary School, St Aloysius' College, St Michael's Teacher Training College, the University of Malta Rome University and Perugia University Frans Sammut (November 19, 1945 –...
, with an introduction by Dr Paul Borg Olivier
Paul Borg Olivier
Paul Borg Olivier is a Maltese politician, former mayor of the Maltese capital city Valletta and Secretary-General of the Nationalist Party.Borg Olivier studied law at the University of Malta. He unsuccessfully stood as a Nationalist Party candidate in the electoral district including Valletta in...
. The Maltese original, Bonaparti f'Malta, was published in 1997.
Citing contemporary documents from Malta
Malta
Malta , officially known as the Republic of Malta , is a Southern European country consisting of an archipelago situated in the centre of the Mediterranean, south of Sicily, east of Tunisia and north of Libya, with Gibraltar to the west and Alexandria to the east.Malta covers just over in...
's archives, it provides a detailed account of the six days Napoleon Bonaparte spent in Malta in 1798, as well as an analysis of the political situation under the Order of St John of Jerusalem and the political and cultural consequences of Bonaparte's conquest of Malta.
In the words of fellow writer and former Prime Minister of Malta
Prime Minister of Malta
The Prime Minister of Malta is the Head of Government of Malta.-Establishment of the office and developments:The office of "Head of Ministry" was created as soon as Malta was granted autonomous government in 1921. The 1921 constitution was suspended twice before being revoked...
, Alfred Sant
Alfred Sant
Alfred Sant is a Maltese politician. He led the Labour Party from 1992 to 2008 and served as Prime Minister of Malta between 1996 and 1998 and as Leader of the Opposition from 1992 to 1996 and from 1998 to 2008....
, Napoleon and his impact on Malta were "enduring subjects of [Sammut's] interests and research".
It is the first account in the French language of those six days. At the Eighth Congress of the International Napoleonic Society
J. David Markham
J. David Markham is an award-winning educator, author and an internationally respected historian. He has been featured on programs on Napoleon Bonaparte and Julius Caesar on the History Channel International, the History Channel, the Military History Channel, the Learning Channel and the Discovery...
, Sammut gave a presentation, "The Enlightenment in Malta and the Coming of Bonaparte", based on his research for Bonaparte à Malte.
Sammut maintained that Napoleon, despite spending such a short time in Malta, sought singlehandedly to draw the country into the modern world. He issued a series of decrees aimed at bringing about a thorough reorganization of government and society in Malta, and tirelessly sought to review the country's laws and regulations. The abolition of noble titles and privileges and the ending of slavery were the first measures he implemented. He ordered the expulsion of the Inquisitor
Inquisitor
An inquisitor was an official in an Inquisition, an organisation or program intended to eliminate heresy and other things frowned on by the Roman Catholic Church...
and the release of the Order's political prisoners, including the Maltese patriot, Mikiel Anton Vassalli
Mikiel Anton Vassalli
Mikiel Anton Vassalli was a Maltese writer, a philosopher, and a linguist who published important Maltese language books, including a Maltese-Italian dictionary, a Maltese grammar book, the Maltese Gospels and, towards the end of his life, a book on Maltese proverbs.-Life:Mikiel Anton Vassalli was...
, who shared his Enlightenment
Age of Enlightenment
The Age of Enlightenment was an elite cultural movement of intellectuals in 18th century Europe that sought to mobilize the power of reason in order to reform society and advance knowledge. It promoted intellectual interchange and opposed intolerance and abuses in church and state...
ideals and whom he described as "the most intelligent prisoner (ever) locked in a cell". Voicing his surprise that fundamental subjects such as mathematics, physics and astronomy were not yet being taught at the University of Malta
University of Malta
The University of Malta is the highest educational institution in Malta Europe and is one of the most respected universities in Europe. The University offers undergraduate Bachelor's Degrees, postgraduate Master's Degrees and postgraduate Doctorates .-History:The University of Malta was founded in...
, he also instituted a series of educational reforms.
Sammut characterized Napoleon as "a different kind of leader... more of an intellectual strategist and philosopher", a quality placing him in the highest rank of commander together with Julius Caesar
Julius Caesar
Gaius Julius Caesar was a Roman general and statesman and a distinguished writer of Latin prose. He played a critical role in the gradual transformation of the Roman Republic into the Roman Empire....
and Alexander the Great.
Some of Sammut's research for Bonaparte á Malte also went into his 1994 historical novel about Vassalli, Il-Ħolma Maltija (The Maltese Dream), described by Alfred Sant as "his masterpiece" and by British author and poet Marjorie Boulton
Marjorie Boulton
Marjorie Boulton is a British author and poet writing in both English and Esperanto.Author of Zamenhof: Creator of Esperanto — a biography of L. L...
as "a colossal work".