The Trojans in Epirus: Archaeology, Myth and Identity in Inter-War Albania

Between 1924 and 1943 southern Albania was the venue for the revisiting of the myth of the flight of Aeneas and his followers from the destruction of Troy, and the fulfilment of their destiny in Italy (figure 3.1). The Italian State had existed as a unified entity only since 1870, and the Virgilian legend resonated strongly with the search for unity and purpose that was pursued by the “least of the Great Powers.” The fascist government of Benito Mussolini came to power in 1922, on the back of another myth, that of the national salvation effected by the march on Rome and the fascist revolution. Once in power the fascists continued to draw on the power of legend and associated commemoration. This provided them with the foundation of tradition with which to impose the new modes of consciousness deemed necessary for the dawning of a new era.