malta and the maltese

MALTA AND THE MALTESEMegaliths, Falcons and Bravery

By

Jean Christophe (Chris) Robles

FACTS & FIGURES

Official name = Republic of Malta (Republikka ta’ Malta)

Size = 316km2 (122 sq. mi.)

Population = 430,000 (est.)

Capital = Valletta (197,000)

Coastline = 271km / 168 mi.

Highest peak = Ta’Dmejrek (253m / 830ft.)

Government = Unitary Parliamentary Republic

GDP = $16.3 Bn. (PPP) / 152nd in the World

GDP per Capita = $37,900 (PPP) / 44th in the World

Economy = Tourism, electronics, ship building, services

Currency = Euro (Maltese Lira before)

Religion = 88.6% Roman Catholic, 11.4% others

Language = Maltese (official), English (official)

LITTLE KNOWN FACTS ABOUT MALTA

Smallest country and capital city in the EU

One of the most densely populated in the world

Archipelago of 8 islands and several rocks

No forests, mountains or rivers

Driving is on the left as in the UK

Only Semitic language using Latin script

Known by Greeks as Melitē, the ‘island of honey’

Apostle Paul was shipwrecked in 60AD

One of the world’s best natural harbours

Popeye Village is a major tourist attraction

Location for many movies and TV series

One of world’s most concentrated historical areas

Calypso Cave in Gozo mentioned in the Odyssey

Malta was once connected to the mainland

HISTORICAL TIMELINE

Stone Age farmers arrive from Sicily over 7,000 years ago

Megalithic structures built from around 3,600BC

New Bronze Age farmers arrive around 2,500BC

Phoenicians set up trading colonies around 800BC

Carthaginians take over around 480BC

Under Rome from start of 2nd Punic War in 218BC

Christianity introduced in 60AD by Paul

Possible Germanic invasions after Rome’s decline

Integrated into Byzantine province of Sicily in 535AD

Under Muslim occupation from 870 to 1090

From 1091, Norman rule and integration with Sicily

In 1530, Malta given to the Knights Hospitaller

Napoleon forces Knights out in 1798

British take over in 1800 until independence in 1964

MOMENTS IN HISTORY: MEGALITHS

When first inhabitants arrive by sea from Sicily (possibly the Sicaniof Iberian origin), the islands are forested, fertile and with a varied fauna

Local Neolithic culture evolves in relative isolation, with limited exchanges with other cultures

Population grows cereals and raises livestock, hunt and fish, living in caves and simple dwellings, producing pottery and cave paintings

Evidence of worship of fertility figures (mother goddesses or ‘fat ladies’), similar to those found around Europe and Mediterranean

Around 3,600BC, start of a construction phase of large scale megalithic structures, among the oldest in the world, pre-dating Egypt and Stonehenge

By 2,500BC, construction phase (Temple Period) abruptly stops and builders seem to have vanished

Megalithic temple builders replaced by new Bronze Age culture with different burial methods and erecting dolmens, possibly coming from Sicily, probably assimilating with Phoenicians by 700BC

MOMENTS IN HISTORY: MEGALITHS

MYSTERIOUS TEMPLE BUILDERS

Culture of temple builders believed to have evolved locally from the Neolithic settlers

Society seems to have been peaceful, healthy and neither matriarchal or patriarchal

No written language left and no external accounts of period, knowledge only through archaeology

Early excavations lacked methodology making clear interpretation and dating of finds difficult

Structures believed to have been related to a fertility cult becoming dominant in society and requiring large scale building for needs of perhaps an organized cult

Importance of fertility cult likely linked to ecological depletion following human settlement that rendered land less productive due to deforestation

Evidence of animal sacrifice and ritualistic feasting

Growing obsession with cult, building needs and rituals may have led to collapse, as in Easter Island

TEMPLE CONSTRUCTION

Temple construction period spans 3 phases from 3600BC to 2500BC, from the Ġgantija to the Tarxien phases, with over 20 megalithic complexes on Malta and Gozo, most containing 2 or 3 individual structures encircled by a wall and following similar patterns

Temples were constructed of coralline or globigerina limestone in a cloverleaf floorplan, with a monumental entrance leading to a central corridor flanked by hemispheric chambers (apses)

Entrances are typically horizontal arches (post and lintel trilithons); roofs were likely made of animal hides supported by timber poles

Temple shape reminding of Mother Goddess figurines proportions

Size of chambers small and not conducive to public worship

Chambers had decorated walls and stone sacrificial altars inside

Individual stones weighed up to 20 tons, with the largest weighing over 50 tons, transported from over a kilometre away

Many of the structures are listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Mystery surrounds the temple period, such as the discovery and mysterious disappearance from public view of strange elongated skulls, a huge number of cart tracks despite no evidence of wheel use during the Neolithic and the presence of cannonball size stone balls

ĠGANTIJA TEMPLE COMPLEX

Found on Gozo island

Means ‘Giant’s Towers’

Earliest megalithic complex

Built in 3600BC

Among world’s oldest

UNESCO World Heritage

Faces Equinox sunrise

Spherical stones presumed to be used as ball bearings

ĦAĠAR QIM TEMPLE COMPLEX

Found on Malta island

Means ‘Standing Stones’

Dates from Ġgantija phase

Complex of 3 temples built

across phases

Built with globigerina

limestone, yet best preserved

Numerous statuettes of deities

uncovered

Layout differs from other

temples

ĦAL-SAFLIENI HYPOGEUM

Built throughout temple period, but mostly from 3300BC

to 3000BC (Saflieni phase), discovered in 1902

World’s only known underground prehistoric temple

Some of the 32 underground chambers mimic surface

temples and are finely carved out of the rock on 3 levels

One chamber produces a peculiar acoustic resonance

Numerous figurines of ‘fat ladies’, including famous

sleeping lady

Possibly a place for initiation rituals and ‘temple sleep’

Was possibly first a place for worship, then became a

necropolis

Bones of up to 7,000 people unearthed from site

To preserve site, only 8 groups of 10 visitors allowed daily

UNESCO listed World Heritage Site

TARXIEN TEMPLES

On Malta island near the Hypogeum

Tarxien phase represents the peak of the temple building civilisation

Characterised by elaborately carved temple decorations and sculpted artefacts

Discovery in 1914 led to development of modern archaeological methods and to a revival of Maltese national identity

LONG SKULLS AND CART RUTS

Among the bones from the Hypogeum 11 elongated skulls were found, one with an ‘impossible’ cranial anomaly

Skulls displayed until 1985, but since hidden from public and rarely seen by experts

Tales of deeper levels in the Hypogeum, strange effects of 110 Hz acoustic resonance on emotions and on matter, mysterious visions by a British diplomat and a story of disappearing children have led to fantastic theories

The world’s largest concentration of cart ruts, most likely from the Bronze Age but thought to be much older and seemingly defying explanation as to their practical use, has compounded to the mysteries surrounding Malta

From Atlantis, to ancient priestly races, aliens and UFOs, theories abound

MOMENTS IN HISTORY: FALCONS

After the Norman conquest, Malta’s history is closely linked to that of Sicily under the different rulers of the Kingdom of Sicily

The German Hohenstaufen follow the Normans, then the Angevins who are succeeded by the Aragonese

During Aragonese rule, Malta is given as personal fiefs by the Crown of Aragon to various nobles as a reward for services rendered

Malta goes to Castile in 1412, and then becomes part of the Spanish Empire when Aragon and Castile are united

In 1530, the Spanish King Charles V, also Holy Roman Emperor, at the instigation of Pope Clement VIII, grants Malta, Gozo and Tripoli to the Knights of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem, who had been without a home since being ousted from Rhodes by the Ottomans in 1523

The grant is made on 23 March 1530, with the Grand Master of the Order of St. John having to pay, among other conditions, an annual tribute of one falcon to the Emperor and to his mother Queen Joanna of Castile, as monarchs of Sicily

THE KNIGHTS OF MALTA

The Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of St. John of Jerusalem, of Rhodes and of Malta originates with the Christian Crusades of the 11th and 12th

centuries

In around 1050, Italian merchants are given permission by the Fatimid Caliph to build a hospital in Jerusalem on the site of the monastery of St. John the Baptist, to care for pilgrims to the Holy Land

Under the administration of the Blessed Gerard, the hospital grows in importance, especially after the success of the First Crusade and the establishment of the Kingdom of Jerusalem, opening other establishments along the pilgrimage route to Jerusalem

In 1113, Pope Paschal II recognizes the hospital as an independent religious order subject only to the papacy

The Order grows, taking on military roles as well to protect Christian pilgrims, and acquiring wealth from donations

Gradually, the Order becomes a formidable fighting force, achieving recognition throughout Europe


After the fall of Jerusalem to the Muslims, the Knights of the Order of St. John move first to Cyprus and then in 1310 make the island of Rhodes their new home, from where they develop into an also formidable naval force, chiefly defending Christendom against the Ottoman Turks

Ottoman Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent defeats the Knights and ousts them from Rhodes in 1523

After a few years without a home, the Knights move to Malta, ceded to them by the King of Spain in exchange of the Tribute of the Maltese Falcon

Fearing Ottoman attacks, the Knights build fortifications, while continuing to battle for naval domination of the Mediterranean with Ottomans

In 1565, the Ottomans attack Malta. Though vastly outnumbered, the Knights and the Maltese will repeal the invaders after a long and bloody siege (the Siege of Malta)

The Christian victory in Malta marks a decisive turn in the fight against the Ottomans, consolidated a few years later at Lepanto, where the Knights will take part


Following the Siege of Malta, grateful Christian monarchs and nobles donate to the order and join in numbers, swelling the Order’s coffers

Jean Parisot de la Valette, the Order’s Grand Master at the time of the siege, lays plans to construct a new city, the first planned city in Europe, later named Valletta in his honour

Valletta sees the construction of impressive fortifications, grand palaces and churches, enriched by works of art from the likes of Caravaggio, as well as construction of aqueducts, hospitals, Schools of Medicine and a University

In following years, the Knights at first help to police the Mediterranean against the Turks and the pirates, but loss of purpose and of funds will lead to financial and moral decline, gradually loosing favour with the locals

In 1651, the Order briefly held 4 colonies in the Caribbean

Napoleon on his way to Egypt takes the islands in 1798, with little resistance from the Knights, and expels the Order

After years dispersed in Russia and Europe, the Order eventually settles in Rome in 1834, with extraterritorial privileges as a sovereign order

ORDER OF MALTA TODAY

‘Tuitio fidei et obsequium pauperum’

After settling in Rome, the Order reorganized itself, ceasing its military activities to concentrate on its original mission as hospitallers, and abandoning its division in ‘Langues’ for National Associations instead

Today the bulk of its activities are in the medical, social, disaster relief and humanitarian fields

Now a lay religious order of the Catholic Church, it has over 13,500 Knights, Dames and Chaplains, mostly non aristocratic lay members, plus some 80,000 permanent volunteers and 25,000 mostly medical employees

The Order operates through 12 Priories, 47 national Associations, 1 worldwide relief agency and 33 Volunteer Corps, running projects as well as numerous hospitals, medical centres, day-care centres and specialist foundations in some 120 countries

With a sovereign status, the order, headed by an elected Grand Master, has observer status at the United Nations and various international organizations, has diplomatic missions in 106 countries and issues its own passports, currency, stamps and number plates

With more than 9 centuries in existence, it is the world’s oldest surviving order of chivalry

TRIBUTE OF THE MALTESE FALCON

The annual payment to the monarchs of Sicily of a Maltese falcon was one of the conditions for the cession of Malta to the Order of St. John

Payment of the tribute was on All Saints Day (1st November), with the falcon delivered to the Viceroy of Sicily

The Maltese peregrine falcon, the planet’s fastest animal, was a highly prized bird used in medieval falconry and a symbol of loyalty

The symbolic tribute was a reminder that Malta was ceded on a feudal contract basis, with provisions for the return of Malta should the Order leave

The Knights of Malta paid the annual tribute until 1798

A detective novel by Dashiell Hammett loosely inspired by this story was famously adapted for the screen

The 1941 Oscar nominated Maltese Falcon movie by John Huston starring Humphrey Boggart became a Film Noir classic

Mystery has surrounded the falcon props used in the movie, with different claims of authenticity for remaining statues, some of which sold at auctions for high prices

Peregrine falcons have returned to the islands for the first time since the 1980s, and are breeding on Gozo

MOMENTS IN HISTORY: BRAVERY

In 1800, the British help the Maltese to oust the French

The Maltese do not want the Knights to return

In 1814, Malta is recognized as a British colony

On 10 June 1940, Italy declares war on Great Britain

On 11 June, Italy’s aviation starts bombarding lightly defended Malta

The bombing campaign continues, between Italian and Germans, until November 1942

The Allies counterattack, send reinforcements and inflict damage on Axis forces and shipping

MOMENTS IN HISTORY: BRAVERY

Malta was one the most intensively bombed areas during the war, with supplies often cut by Axis’ attacks on convoys

On 15 April 1942, King George VI awards the George Cross for gallantry to the entire population and defenders of ‘the island fortress of Malta’ in recognition of their bravery and heroism in withstanding the bombing onslaught and siege

This had a propaganda value and Malta could not fall

In 1943, the Allied invasion of Sicily is launched from Malta

MALTA TODAY

After the War, reconstruction began, alongside increased home rule, with integration with the UK being considered at one point

In 1964, the State of Malta gains independence within the Commonwealth and with the Queen as Head of State

In 1971, firebrand politician Dominic ‘Dom’ Mintoff is elected Prime Minister for a second time, initiating wide ranging changes

Malta becomes a Republic in 1974, still in the Commonwealth, and the last British troops leave in 1979, with Malta for the 1st

time since before the Phoenicians free of interference by outside powers

Dom Mintoff implements social policies, and courts relations with Libya, the Soviet Union, China and North Korea, playing off the superpowers and giving Malta a voice beyond its size, while maintaining neutrality and pursuing peace

In December 1989, while the Iron Curtain was being lifted, George H W Bush and Mikhail Gorbachev hold a summit off the Malta coast considered to mark the end of the Cold War

Following a referendum, Malta joins the EU in 2004, of which it currently holds the presidency

In 2008, Malta joined the Euro zone, abandoning the Maltese Lira

MALTA TODAY

Since independence Malta’s economy has diversified from its shipping and dockyard dominated economy

Electronics, pharmaceuticals, textiles, financial services, film production and tourism make for an advanced and prosperous economy

Though preserving, enhancing or restoring its past, a number of new flagship projects have enhanced Malta’s modern aspect

Real estate is also booming, with new developments catering for tourists and retirees

Malta receives over 1.6M tourist arrivals yearly, more than 3 times it’s local population

THE MALTESE

Maltese language is spoken by all, majority speaks English, about 2/3 speaks Italian and about 17% French, making Malta one of the most multilingual countries in the EU

Maltese are mostly Roman Catholic, which is the state religion, though the Constitution guarantees freedom of religion

Divorce was illegal until 2011

Main festivals are religious in nature

Maltese traditional boats, the luzzus, are brightly coloured with a double ended hull and a pair of painted ‘eyes of Osiris’ for protection

Maltese cuisine has strong Mediterranean influences, with rabbit being a favourite and pastizzi being a must try

Hand made lace, hand blown glass, fly swatters and model buses are some of the sought after local handicrafts

SIGHTSEEING IN MALTA


Valletta, a UNESCO listed World Heritage Site, will be the European Capital of Culture in 2018

GRAZIE! MERCI ! THANK YOU!

NEXT: MOORISH SPAINRise And Fall of al-Andalus

Happy Maltese explorations!

malta and the maltese

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