LUCAS

Paul Lucas (1664-1737), French-born merchant, naturalist, physician, archaeological artifact hunter and special envoy of King Louis XIV to the discovery of archaeological artifacts, was born in Rouen. He starts traveling at a young age. It is assumed that on his first voyage (1688-1696) he traded precious stones. From 1699 to 1703, he travels all over the eastern Mediterranean (Egypt, Cyprus, Syria) and to Persia. From October 1705 to 1708 he traveled through the southern and northern parts of Greece, the Aegean islands, Anatolia and the Holy Places; Its purpose is always to find archaeological artifacts and inscriptions. On his return to France from this voyage alone, he had 1,800 ancient coins, 22 ancient manuscripts and 52 inscriptions. All of these were assigned to the Sun King and himself. He made his third trip in 1714-1717. He traveled to Istanbul, Anatolia, Syria, Palestine and Egypt, and in 1723 he made his fourth trip to the East.

He published the travelogue of all his travels except the last one, but the last was written by Baudelot de Nerval, Étienne Fourmont and abbé Banier, honored members of the Academy of Fine Arts. His travelogues, which deal with rare subjects and are published with abundant illustrations, make a deep impression on all European readers and have been published in many new editions, and have also been translated into English and German. Paul Lucas dies while traveling in Spain at the age of 73.

by Ioli Vingopoulou