Columbia University Seminar (4/21): The Black Lover of the Queen

[Dimitris Antoniou]

Dear list members,  

The University Seminar in Modern Greek and the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Public Humanities Initiative (SNFPHI) at Columbia University are organizing the seminar The Black Lover of the Queen: A Moving Story of Markos Abessinios at the Greek Bavarian Royal Court, which will take place on Tuesday (4/21) at 16:00 ET. Lilia Diamantopoulou (LMU Munich) will explore the life of Markos Abessinios, whose trajectory from enslaved child in Abyssinia to courtier in the Greek Bavarian monarchy and later merchant in Munich offers a rare lens on Black mobility in nineteenth century Europe. See below for the full description and details. We look forward to seeing you!  

With all good wishes,   
Dimitris  

Dimitris Antoniou

Lecturer in Hellenic Studies, Department of Classics

Associate Director, Stavros Niarchos Foundation Public Humanities Initiative

Columbia University

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The Black Lover of the Queen: A Moving Story of Markos Abessinios at the Greek Bavarian Royal Court

Lilia Diamantopoulou (LMU Munich)

Faculty House (64 Morningside Dr) and online
April, 21, 2026
16:00 - 17:30 ET

In this seminar Lilia Diamantopoulou (LMU Munich) will explore the life of Markos Abessinios, whose trajectory from enslaved child in Abyssinia to courtier in the Greek Bavarian monarchy and later merchant in Munich offers a rare lens on Black mobility in nineteenth century Europe. At the center is the 1862 anti royal satire Dialogues of the Dethroned Kings, where Markos appears as Queen Amalia’s lover. This fictionalized affair opens up questions about forced migration, racial servitude, and the limits of historical visibility. By reading satire alongside biography, the paper interrogates how Black lives were framed and fantasized within imperial structures.

Seating is limited. Registration closes at NOON on Monday, April 20th. If you do not have a Columbia ID, you will receive a QR code to access the campus. Registerhere.