"Haunted by the Vastness of Eternity:" The archaeological Validation of the Trojan War through the telling of the epic cycle poems and the "iliad"
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The mystery surrounding the story of Troy has long been debated for its accuracy. Most commonly known through the "Iliad," written in the 8th century BC by the blind poet Homer, Troy and the 13th century BCE conflict that occurred there became an area of archaeological and historical interest; although many scholars believed them to be mythical stories of legend. The "Iliad" carries on the story of the conflict, referred to as the Trojan War, with the same cast of characters mentioned in the Epic Cycle poems, which explain the cause of the war between Troy and Greece, in particular Mycenae, the events leading up to the sack of Troy, and the aftermath of the war. Current knowledge and evidence of the site dictates that there were nine different cities at the site, Troy VI being labeled as the city from Homer's epic, confirming that there is accuracy to these ancient poems. This exhibition highlights the major events that occur in the Epic Cycle poems and the "Iliad" to reinforce that the Trojan war has become validated as fact through the archaeological evidence found at the sites of Troy and Mycenae.
The Abduction of Helen, Alessandro Turchi, 1578/1649, From the collection of: Musée d’Art Classique de Mougins
"Cypria" the first book of the Epic Cycle, narrates Paris, Prince of Troy and son of Priam, taking Helen, Queen of Sparta, back to Troy, stealing her away from the King of Sparta and her husband, Menelaus.It is argued that this event is what caused the Trojan War. As a result, Menelaus appeals to his brother, Agamemnon, King of Mycenae, to go to war against the Trojans, sparking the ten year conflict.
Agamemnons Fight with Achilles, Bertel Thorvaldsen, 1804, From the collection of: Thorvaldsens Museum
The "Iliad" depicts the anger of Achilles in the last year of the war.King Agamemnon of Mycenae steals Achilles' captive and war prize, the slave girl Briseis, after enduring nine days of plague. As a result, Achilles is enraged with Agamemnon's actions and withdraws from battle until she is returned to him, resulting in extensive losses for the Greeks.
Myt. Clas. Homer. Troy., 1762, From the collection of: LIFE Photo Collection
In book 16 of the "Iliad," Patroclus, the dear friend of Achilles, attempts to will Achilles back into battle. The irate Achilles refuses. As the Greek losses mount, Patroclus adorns Achilles armour and meets Prince Hector of Troy, son of King Priam and the greatest Trojan warrior, in battle. Hector slays Patroclus which enrages Achilles further. This marks Hector's doom as Achilles seeks revenge. This image shows Hector saying farewell to his wife Andromache and sister Cassandra.
Achilles Trails Hector's Body after his Chariot. Paolo and Francesca(?),, Bertel Thorvaldsen, 1804/1805, From the collection of: Thorvaldsens Museum
In book 22, Homer describes Achilles killing with such rage that he begins "clogging the Trojan canal with human carnage," as he makes his way to the gates of Troy. It is here where Achilles meets Hector and enacts his revenge. Tying Hector's body to his chariot, he parades around the gates of Troy, as King Priam and Queen Hecuba look on witnessing the mutilation of their most favoured son's body.
Priam Pleads with Achilles for Hector's Body, Bertel Thorvaldsen, 1815, From the collection of: Thorvaldsens Museum
The following scene displays the most dramatic part of the "Iliad" as King Priam goes to the tent of Achilles to beg for the body of Hector in order to give him the proper burial rites. In the final book of the "Iliad," Priam appeals to Achilles' memory of his father, Peleus. Homer ends book 24 with Priam bringing Hector's body back to Troy, giving him the proper burial rites. The funeral games last for nine days.
Myt. Clas. Homer. Troy. Achilles., From the collection of: LIFE Photo Collection
In the third book of the Epic Cycle, "Aethiopis," the funeral games for Hector ends and the Trojan war continues. As Trojan allies arrive, Achilles is shot in the heel with an arrow, as shown in this sculpture, by Paris, who avenges his brother's death. As a child, Achilles' mother bathed him in the river Styx so that he would be kept from harm however she forgot to bathe the part of the ankle she was holding. This book ends with the mourning of Achilles.
Myt Class Homer Troy Ect, From the collection of: LIFE Photo Collection
The story of Troy continues with the "Little Iliad" which takes place after the mourning of Achilles. Odysseus, the honourable King of Ithaca, receives a prophecy from a captive Trojan prophet. He tells Odysseus that the Greeks need to acquire the Palladium, a sacred statue of Pallas (Athena), which holds the safety of the Trojan city. After it is retrieved, Epeius, a Greek warrior, constructs a wooden horse, which becomes known as the Trojan horse. The Greeks hide inside and the "Little Iliad" ends with the Trojans believing that the Greeks have left, taking the horse through their gates to celebrate their victory.
The Death of Priam, Antonio Canova, 1787/1790, From the collection of: Fondazione Cariplo
Destruction finally comes to Troy in the "Iliou Persis" or the "Sack of Troy." Cassandra, Princess of Troy and daughter of Priam, who was given the gift of foresight by Apollo but was cursed with the fate of never being believed, tells her father to burn it. However, Priam believes it is a gift from the Gods. As a result the Greeks, under the cover of night, break free of the horse, massacre the Trojans and set fire to the city. This includes King Priam who is killed by Neoptolemus, a son of Achilles, at the altar of Zues.
1877, From the collection of: LIFE Photo Collection
The contents of the Epic Cycle poems and the "Iliad" became of great interest to academics in the 19th century. Obsessed with these ancient writings, particularly the "Iliad", Heinrich Schliemann, a German businessman, began excavating what was believed to the be the site of Homer's Troy in 1870 as determined by his predecessor, Frank Calvert. As Schliemann was not a skilled archaeologist, many artifacts found at Troy and Mycenae, the opposing Greek city in the conflict, were damaged. However, Schliemann's work brought the need for further archaeological study of the site which continued through the rest of the 20th and 21st centuries.
1876, From the collection of: LIFE Photo Collection
Despite Schliemann's destructive methods, certain artifacts were recovered from the site of Troy which included the supposed treasure of Priam. Among the objects found were necklaces, diadems and earrings. These artifacts are seen here, being worn by Schliemann's wife, Sophia, and were later labelled as the jewels of Helen.
Exp Excavations Mycenae And Troad, From the collection of: LIFE Photo Collection
Other objects were found at Troy by Schliemann in 1878 that were also considered part of Priam's treasure. These included an assortment of shields, goblets, vases and swords.
Helios driving his chariot, Unknown, -300/-200, From the collection of: Altes Museum, Staatliche Museen zu Berlin
This is a relief of the Sun God found at the temple of Athena at Troy. It is dated to 300 BC and was meant to be part of a corner block. It is the best known preserved metope, a popular element in classical architecture, to date.
The Lion Gate at Mycenae, Underwood & Underwood, 1897, From the collection of: Benaki Museum of Greek Civilization
Troy was not Schliemann's only point of interest in attempting to prove that Homer's "Iliad" was fact. In addition to his excavations at Troy, Schliemann also carried out archaeological projects at Mycenae, the supposed home of King Agamemnon. It was here that Schliemann uncovered more artifacts pertaining to Homer's "Iliad," further proving its' authenticity.
Exc Euro Greece Mycenae Shliemann Excavations, From the collection of: LIFE Photo Collection
The objects found at Mycenae included tomb relics and pieces of pottery. The most interesting artifact, however, was the supposed death mask of Agamemnon, which Schliemann believed was the missing piece to proving the authenticity of the Trojan war. Current archaeologists and historians still question the mask's authenticity due to its inconsistencies with burial traditions at the time. Nevertheless, these findings did prove the existence of inhabitants located in that geographical region during the time of Homer's Troy.
Homer, From the collection of: LIFE Photo Collection
Presently, it is an accepted fact that the Trojan war occurred in the area that is now called Turkey. The legendary place that is Homer's Troy has been proven to be true. However, there are still mysteries surrounding the Epic Cycle poems and the "Iliad" as these ancient writings provide the only information on the individuals involved. It still remains at the discretion of the reader to decide whether Homer's greatest warriors, Hector and Achilles, historically had a place in this world.
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