Approaching Arabic "from the backdoor" : Michelangelo Guidi (1886-1946) and his multifaceted contribution to Oriental studies

This article aims to synthetically reconstruct the life and career of Michelangelo Guidi, Professor of Arabic Language and Literature and Professor of Muslim History and Institutions who taught at the University of Rome from 1922 to 1945. Our goal is to shed light on his role as a scholar and specialist in Oriental Studies, as well as his major achievements and scientific activity in Italy and beyond. Utilizing archival documents and unpublished sources, we endeavor to accurately trace the trajectory of his career, the evolution of his research interests, and his academic collaborations