Historical discoveries are usually associated with the unearthing of new artifacts or documents. However, they can also be made through re-evaluation of already known facts. The Great Siege of 1565 has often been analysed as an isolated incident. Prof. Victor Mallia-Milanes is looking at this prominent event in Malta’s history, within context, together with the rest of the Mediterranean at the time.
Mallia-Milanes questions the 'greatness' of the siege, defining it as the event’s ability to bring about long-term changes. The Siege did not bring about major changes in historical development for the Mediterranean, says Mallia-Milanes. The fact that the knights remained on the island was no doubt positive for Malta, seeing that they invested heavily in the cotton and cumin industries; however, is this enough for the siege to be labelled great since its impact on wider Europe was negligible? Mallia-Milanes asks.
Historical research is often set aside once made and accepted at face value. However, it is important for this to be continuously questioned, revisited and updated to achieve a better understanding of the past.
For more, read the in-depth feature in Think magazine: www.um.edu.mt/think/1565-was-it-that-great