Il Gran Priore dell’Ordine di Malta e il suo servo. Un episodio di «schiavitù mediterranea» nel XVIII secolo .

This study analyses a sequence of events and incidents occurred to the GreatPrior Francesco Paternò of Raddusa and his slave Michelino in the last decades ofthe 18th century. These decades witness the turning of the role of the Holy Orderof Malta and his knights into the one of artful and skillful revenue collectors, aufait with the fights to gain administrative control of the cities in Sicily. Whatemerges from this context is the role of the Great Prior who manages benefits andbusiness for his personal advantage, for those bound to him and for his slave, who,by chance, ends up becoming the right-hand man of his master, thus obtainingliberation. In Malta, Sicily, Naples, Messina and Catania, traffic, trade, contrastsand careers unravel. Following the death of the Great Prior Francesco Paternò ofRaddusa, his heirs try to make null and void a deed, with which the ex-slave hasbeen granted liberation, by alleging his duplicity. They do not manage to achievetheir goal, but Michele will be sent away from Sicily. That shows mentality is inthe verge of changing, though with strong oppositions.

Il saggio analizza le vicende dello schiavo Michelino, emancipato dal padrone,Gran Priore dell'ordine di Malta a Messina.Nonostante le vicende si svolgono alla fine del Settecento l'ex schiavo, perseguitato dagli eredi del padrone, dovette lasciare la Sicilia.