Troy

Troy

Homer

• Born circa 8th-9th Century BCE• Blind poet• Wrote The Iliad and The Odyssey – major literary works– Influence on Western Culture

Have you heard of…?

• Achilles’ heal• “The face that launched a thousand ships”• “Beware of Greeks bearing gifts”• The wooden horse• Siren call• Wine dark sea

The Iliad and The Odyssey• Epic story of the Trojan Wars in 12th Century BCE• The Iliad is about the siege of the city of Ilion (Troy) by the Mycenaean

Greeks• The Odyssey is about 10 year journey home and incredible adventures

e.g. meeting Cyclops

• Main characters• Odysseus• Hector• Achilles• Paris• Helen• Menelaus• Priam

Video Clip

• Trojan Horse clip from "Troy“ (2004)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YbiR6IMf5KQ

Questions for the Historian

• Was the story true? • Did Troy exist? • Where was Troy located?

Who was Heinrich Schliemann?

• German businessman• Strong advocate that

places mentioned by Homer were historically real

• Excavated Hisarlik site in Turkey that had been identified by Frank Calvert as city of Troy

Which layer is The Iliad’s Troy?

• Troy VI (1800-1275 BC). – Fortified citadel– Bronze arrow heads, spear tips and sling shots have been

found on the site and even some embedded in the fortification walls – implies conflict

– Destroyed by Fire? Earthquake?• Troy VIi (used to be known as Troy VIIa) (1275-1240

BC).– Rebuilt on Troy VI- Same fortifications– Sewerage system, houses crowded together– Destroyed by fire