A study of events in the life of the Maltese Islands

First .... get this straight, please! Do bear in mind that this is neither a history lesson, nor some detailed chronicle.   We are not historians, although we have done a fair amount of research before laying down these facts. The intention here is clear and simple. We hope to provide an unbiased and uncomplicated guide to our nation's past which is easy to follow and, hopefully, fun too. Small bites of information are laid out chronologically in table form, with "hyperlinks" aimed at providing better explanation on specific subjects or at giving additional facts or images. This makes reading and reference easier, avoiding unnecessary detail where this is not desired. In case you wish to skip this intro and jump straight to the History Table please click on BC or AD. We recommended, however, that you (a) read this brief intro, and (b) conduct your own research from recommended and other sources. Here's what You should Know ... before we go Is THIS the 'true version' of the history of Malta? The true version, you ask?   So how many versions of the 'Truth' are there? Consider this ... As the history of the Maltese Islands has consistently been written during one foreign occupation or another, it is understandable that the so-called 'official' version may sometimes lack objectivity. Even worse, it may inadvertently commit some injustice towards our forefathers. This is largely due to the fact that, in bygone days, the 'learned' class was often financially supported by, and hence accessory to, the nation's rulers, while the common citizen had no voice. Their version of history, therefore, may sometimes have been written as a tribute to their rulers, rather than as an objective account of events (from every perspective).   A little bit of interpretation, therefore, as well as placing documented facts in context, may be necessary. Forget not, also, that history is a living subject, where new research periodically unearths old truths and new findings somethimes replace long-held beliefs. What Literature depicted ... History often neglected Charles Dickens and Alexandre Dumas were not historians! Not in the true sense of the word, at least.   But they told a truth that both touches and troubles us -- their audience. They make us realize that there is always 'another' face to the coin, another version that is often untold. How often does history's official version tell the tale of the poor and the lowly -- unless their oppression may have lead to some bloody revolution by which their ruler was overthrown? For most of us, history is a selective process, taken at face value, where glamour and riches outshine the pain and misery which were often history's undeniable backdrop in every country. Maltese socio-political novels should not be overlooked in this regard, nor read with antagonism.           Different socio-economic standing at different times in history Looking at Malta … In the days of slow sea voyages, and right up to World War II, in the 1940's, our islands' (geographically strategic) position rendered Malta and Gozo the ideal colony, much desired by the dominant kingdoms of the time. Sir Winston Churchill is reputed to have referred to Malta as Britain's 'unsinkable aircraft carrier' in the Med, thus demonstrating the Islands' prime strategic importance.   To the British, as to the Order of Saint John before them, Malta was the indomitable island fortress, from which they could control cross-Mediterranean shipping and, later, even aviation.   To the enemy, Malta was a pirates' lair… But the suffering of the islanders during such periods often goes untold, overshadowed or ignored amidst popular romanticising. In many publications featuring the Second World War, for example, Malta is too often left out - without the slightest reference to her people's sacrifice and courage, which led King George VI to award our forefathers the George Cross in 1942.   But a specialist site, such as this, has the duty to zoom in and examine every perspective.   Inverted Map of Malta as depicted in Quintinus' Insulae melitae descriptio So which IS the 'True' Version of our History? Who's to say?!   Much depends on who you are ...the hammer or the nail ! Let's not forget that this phenomenon happened in most countries, in one form or another. Hence, Malta will not stand unique in boasting fine monuments, whilst forgetting the tears and the blood, the heartache and the humiliation that went between each building block. Such record is often found in our literature, in the patriotic verse of Malta's finest sons. And Finally - - - Please, please Get this Right! What follows is simply a compilation of facts ... only FACTS Here, it is clearly NOT our intention to accuse or offend -- in any way -- any race or nation, class, creed or establishment, as any wrongdoing of the past cannot be blamed on successive generations.   However, neither is it our intention to over-romanticise and glorify certain matters without recalling what may have been the "parallel" reality. In the sections that follow you will find the Chronological Tables, linked to explanations. Move now to: Part 1 - Prehistory and the B.C. years Part 2 - Early History, leading up to 1800 A.D. Part 3 - British occupation and the years that followed Return to the top Note: While every effort has been made to provide accurate dates and details, no responsibility can be accepted for any error and/or omission found herein. Webmaster — JANUARY 2002. Acknowledgements: We are infinitely grateful to our various sources of information and reference, which includes the Public Library's Melitensia Sections as well as various publications which we highly recommend to our readers as expertly and reliable research sources. Please visit the Recommended Sources List Return to