In Summary

  • Law lecturer launches new book
  • Book explores the history of Lemnos
  • Written by Roger Hawthorn and Tony Whitefield

The Swinburne Law School recently celebrated the launch of lecturer, Roger Hawthorn’s book about the Greek island of Lemnos.

Written together with friend and former colleague Dr Tony Whitefield, the book explores the unknown historical significance of Lemnos, an island that lays claim to the oldest democratic council chamber in the civilised world.

“I first visited the Greek Island of Lemnos about eight years ago at the invitation of Tony and his wife Despina, who were in the process of restoring an old family stone cottage on the island. I have had a life-long passion for ancient history and this was a great opportunity to explore and discover more about a lesser known Greek Island steeped in mystery and ancient myth,” says Mr Hawthorn.

Until now, a comprehensive history and guide book about the island has been lacking. The book brings together for the first time all the elements of the distant past and of today.

Mr Hawthorn, who has written several law textbooks and has a particular interest in legal history, never expected to write a book on Lemnos.

“As I learned more and more about the island, I thought it was very important for Australians to know the history of Lemnos, especially given its link with the ANZACs during World War One.”

Titled, A Lemnos odyssey: from Jason and the Argonauts to the ANZACS at Gallipoli. The story of the Greek island of Lemnos, the book also looks at the importance of women, who were revered in ancient Greece and seen as a symbol of life and fertility.

The book is already making an impact and is highly sought after by Australia’s Greek community.