Orazio Antinori Italian zoologist and traveler in Africa Date of Birth: 28.10.1811 Country: Italy

1. Early Life and Education
2. Political Activism and Military Service
3. Early Scientific Expeditions
4. African Explorations
5. Italian Geographic Society and Nubian Exploration
6. Ethiopia and the Bogos Country
7. Secretary of the Italian Geographic Society
8. Final Expedition and Death

Early Life and Education

Orazio Antinori was born on October 28, 1811, in Perugia, Italy. He studied at a Benedictine monastery in his hometown, later pursuing natural sciences at his local university and in Rome. In 1835, he settled permanently in Rome, assisting Charles Lucien Bonaparte with his zoological collections and illustrations for his "Iconography of Italian Fauna."

Political Activism and Military Service

Around 1845, Antinori became actively involved in the political movement for Italian independence. He initially worked as a journalist and later joined the Roman insurgents in 1848, fighting at Velletri against the Neapolitans. He earned the rank of captain and defended Rome against French forces.

Early Scientific Expeditions

After the fall of Rome in 1849, Antinori traveled to Athens and Smyrna, conducting scientific excursions to study the region's ornithology. In 1854, he accompanied Princess Belgioioso to Syria, where he extensively explored Asia Minor.

African Explorations

In 1859, Antinori embarked on an expedition to Egypt. Between 1860 and 1861, he traveled alongside Carlo Piaggia to the Upper Nile regions, where he encountered Alexandrine Tinne and Theodor von Heuglin.

Italian Geographic Society and Nubian Exploration

Upon his return to Italy, Antinori sold his valuable ornithological collections to the Turin Museum and published a catalog in 1864. In 1867, he co-founded the Italian Geographic Society and published an account of his Nubian journey in the Society's bulletin.

Ethiopia and the Bogos Country

In 1869, Antinori attended the opening of the Suez Canal. Shortly after, he joined an expedition to the Bogos country, north of Ethiopia. He documented his findings in the Society's bulletin and donated the collected zoological specimens to Italian museums.

Secretary of the Italian Geographic Society

On his return to Italy, Antinori was appointed Secretary of the Italian Geographic Society. In 1875, he traveled to Tunisia to study salt flats.

Final Expedition and Death

In 1876, Antinori led an Italian expedition to Central Africa. Overcoming significant obstacles, the expedition reached the land of Shoa (present-day Ethiopia). Antinori passed away on August 26, 1882, at the Italian geographical station of Let Marefià in Shoa.