1891, the Livraghi scandal became the first major public exposure of Italian colonial atrocities in Eritrea. What began as an investigation into two colonial officials—Lieutenant Dario Livraghi and government prosecutor Eteocle Cagnassi—uncovered a system of corruption, fabricated evidence, extortion, torture, and extrajudicial killings that had operated with near total impunity.
Drawing on contemporary newspapers, parliamentary debates, and historical scholarship, this episode reconstructs how the scandal unfolded, how forged accusations were used against Eritrean merchants and civilians, how colonial institutions enabled abuse, and how the Italian press ultimately brought these crimes before the public. The revelations shook Italy, sparked fierce debates in Parliament, and forced the country to confront uncomfortable questions about the reality behind its so-called "civilizing mission."
Far from being an isolated incident, the Livraghi affair offers a rare window into the mechanics of early Italian colonial rule and the violence that underpinned it.
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