İngiliz arkeolog, topograf, ve haritacı, Cambridge üniversitesi mezunu William Gell (1777-1836), yunan kültürü alanında çalışma yapmış önemli araştırmacılardan biridir. Gezdiği yerler arasında İthaka adası (1801 ve 1806), Truva yöresi (1801), İyon Adaları -Korfu, Zante, Kefalonya ve diğerleri- (1803), Peloponez (Mora), Saronikos Körfezi ve adaları, Rumeli (Sterea Ellada) bölgesi ve Tesalya (1805) bulunmakta. Son olarak 1812 yılında, Dilettanti Grubunun bir projesi kapsamında Anadolu'da yunan kültürü kalıntılarının bulunduğu yerleri ziyaret eder. Bunların dışında İtalya'nın da çeşitli yörelerini gezer, nitekim ölümü İtalya'da vuku bulur.

Çalışmalarında çok üretken olan Gell'in, 800 kadar eskizi ve birçok yayını bulunmakta. Başlıca uğraşlarından biri Homeros'un yapıtlarında geçen yer adlarının özdeşleştirilmesi sorunuydu. Vardığı sonuçlar ayrıntılı ve kanıtlı araştırmalar sonucu olmalarına rağmen bir çok durumda keyfi ve safça olup, kendisiyle birlikte gezide bulunan gezginler tarafından eleştirilmişti. Samimi bir Yunan dostu olmakla birlikte Yunan özgürlük savaşının en hassas anında (1823) Yunanlılara karşı sert eleştiriler yöneltmekten çekinmemiş olan Gell, W.M. Leake, Ed. Dodwell ve Lord Byron gibi şahsiyetler yanında gölgeye düşer.

1801 yılının Kasım ayında Midilli'de bulunan Gell yanında bir arkadaş ve bir çevirmenle Molivos ve Cunta adalarına gitmek üzere yola çıkar. Aleksandria Troas antik sitine gelirler ve yerli rehberler eşliğinde Truva'yı gezdikten sonra buradan Bozcaada'ya (Tenedos) devam ederler. Durmadan desen ve planlar çizen Gell antik yazarlardan olduğu gibi çağdaşı yazarlardan da ayrıntılı notlar kaydetmişti. Zor hava koşullarına rağmen araştırmalarını bütünleyip Gelibolu ve İstanbul'a gider. Strabon'un metinlerine ve kendisinden önce geziler yapmış Lechevalier, Moritt, Clarke gibi gezgin-araştırmacıların eserlerine danışır, ancak kendi sonuçları arkeolojik araştırmaların daha sonra vardığı özdeşleşmelerden uzaktır. Sözkonusu yayını süsleyen sonradan renklendirilmiş bakır gravürler okura bol ırmaklar ve verimli topraklardan oluşan coğrafyadan bir çeşni tattırıp, sergilenen her höyük yada yamaç yazar tarafından Homeros'un betimlediği yerlerle özdeşleştirilmektedir.

Yazan: İoli Vingopoulou

• 

  Foundations on the summit of the hill of Bunarbaşı, village, erroneously identified in the nineteenth-century with Troy.

• 

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

• 

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

• 

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

• 

  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.

• 

  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).

• 

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

• 

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

• 

  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).

• 

  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).

• 

  Muslim cemetery in the confluence of Karamenders (anc. Scamander) and Simoes rivers.

• 

  The Tombs of Hector and Aesyetes in the vale of Karamenders (anc. Scamander) river.

• 

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

• 

  Landscape around the shores of Simoes river in the plain of Troy.

• 

  Cold spring of Karamenderes (anc. Scamander) river.

• 

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

• 

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

• 

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

• 

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

• 

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

• 

  South view of Bunarbaşı, village, erroneously identified in the nineteenth-century with Troy.

• 

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

• 

  Landscape near Geykli in the Troad.

• 

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

• 

  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.

• 

  The confluence of Karamenderes (and. Scamander) river with Simoes, river north of the city of Troy.

• 

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

• 

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

• 

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

• 

  Map of the plain of Troy.

• 

  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.

• 

  View of the village Babakale in the Troad.

• 

  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.

• 

  View from the Eastern side of Alexandria Troas.

• 

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

• 

  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.

• 

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

• 

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

• 

  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.

• 

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

• 

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

• 

  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.

• 

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

• 

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

• 

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

• 

  Temple of Jupiter Nemea.

• 

  Map of Mycenae, showing the main sights.

• 

  Section and Plan of the Treasury of Atreus at Mycenae.

• 

  Entrance to the Tholos tomb of Mycenae (Treasury of Atreus).

• 

  The interior of the Tholos tomb of Mycenae (Treasury of Atreus)

• 

  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].

• 

  Gate of the Lions, Mycenae.

• 

  Gate of the Lions, Mycenae.

• 

  Gate of the Lions, Mycenae.

• 

  The Postern gate of Mycenae Acropolis.

• 

  View of the northeastern (postern) gate of Mycenae.

• 

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

• 

  Plan of Tiryns, Argolis.

• 

  Gallery at the Acropolis of Tiryns, Argolis.

• 

  View from Nafplio, Bourtzi in the background. View of the Mycenean Acropolis of Tiryns.

• 

  View of the Acropolis of Larissa in Argos. On the left, the monastery of Panagia Katakekrymmeni.

• 

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

• 

  View of the Argolic Gulf.

• 

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

• 

  The Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus.

• 

  Plan of the Sanctuary of Asclepius in Epidaurus.

• 

  View of Palaia Epidavros, Argolis.

• 

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

• 

  View near Hermione, Argolis.

• 

  Map of Argolis.

• 

  Title page. Ornamented sarcophagus at Epidaurus.

• 

  Mycenae.

• 

  Monastery of Mega Spilaion, Achaia.

• 

  Title page.

• 

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

• 

  Palaiokastro, Pylos.

• 

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

• 

  Landscape at Neda river.

• 

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

• 

  Greek of the Peloponnese in travel costume.

• 

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

• 

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

• 

  The Aga of Leontari, Arcadia, exiting his home.

• 

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

• 

  Benaki mansion, Kalamata.

• 

  Village of Verga, Messenia.

• 

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

• 

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

• 

  Tower at Mani, close to Kalamata.

• 

  View of Mystras.

• 

  Fragment of Byzantine inscription from Mystras.

• 

  Landscape at Orchomenos.

• 

  Landscape at Cyllene plateau, close to lake Doxa.

• 

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

• 

  Landscape at the Isthmus of Corinth.