Homer: Historical Background
CLA 3, 2024
Tutorial 1
Broghan Swanepoel
G21s1480
Micah Camp
Read ‘The Story so Far’ from Troy by Nic Fields (Osprey, 2004), and
Chapter 8 ‘The Trojan War’ from The Mycenaeans by Rodney Castleden
(Routledge, 2005), and answer the following questions. Both readings
are available on RUConnected.
1. The story of Schliemann’s discovery of Troy is a very
romantic one but should be read with a pinch of salt. Why
might this by?
Schliemann’s story of the discovery of Troy should be read with a pinch
of salt as like the story of troy, is hard to distinguish fact from fiction.
Schlieman was known for his exaggeration, especially in his personal
account of his early life story which he greatly exaggerated, but beyond
this Schlieman’s excavation methods were considered ‘impulsive and
destructive’ (Field, 2004:9.). Recent research has showed that many of
his claims during this excavation have been proven his false such as his
claim to have discovered “Priam’s Treasure”. As well as his claim of his
wife’s presence during the discovery. Schlieman’s writing is also
considered to be contradictory with his use of romanticism and hyperbole
in what was meant to be academic writing.
(5)
2. ‘Schliemann was always troubled by the comparative
smallness of the Troy he knew, especially as Homer had
painted it as a grand metropolis with towering ramparts.’
Why need he not have worried?
Schlieman’s concern about the comparative smallness of the Troy he
excavated was proven to be correct as with recent archaeological work,
such as Project Troia which has revealed that the Troy Schlieman
discovered was just the upper citadel of a much larger settlement, and
therefore Troy was indeed a grand metropolis which followed
Schlieman’s theory.
(3)
3. What makes the Hittite sources such important evidence
when considering Troy and the Trojan War?
The Hittite sources are crucial evidence in understanding Troy and the
Trojan War due to the Hittite Empire's interactions and exchanges with
the region during the Late Bronze Age. The Hittite sources, particularly
the Hittite archives discovered at Hattusa, contain letters, treaties, and
other documents that shed light on the political landscape of the time. As
well as letters exchanged between Hittite kings and local rulers in
western Anatolia reveal details about conflicts, power struggles, and the
movement of people and armies in the region. These letters sometimes
mention events related to Troy, offering valuable historical information.
The Hittite records include treaties and alliances with many Anatolian
and Aegean states, these documents help scholars understand the
relationships between the Hittites their interactions especially of those
with their neighbours, including Troy. The Hittite sources are extremely
important especially as they mention Wilusa, a term found in the Hittite
texts, which is believed to refer to Troy, and the References to Wilusa in
the Hittite records offer historians geographical and historical context,
contributing to the identification of Troy in the archaeological record.
The Hittite texts also often make references to myths and deities shared
with other cultures in similar regions. Access and the discovery to this
text which contain the myths and legends allow researchers and
historians to make comparative analyses of these mythological elements
helps researchers draw connections between Hittite and Greek
mythology.
(5)
4. What are some of the arguments for and against the
“Ahhiyawa” of the Hittite records being the “Achaea” of
Homer? Which view do you favour? Why?
Some of the arguments for the “Ahhiyawa” of the Hittite records being
the “Achaea” of Homer is the similar linguistic, analysis of the linguistics
used suggests a potential connection between "Ahhiyawa" and "Achaea."
However, the linguistic connection between Ahhiyawa and Achaea is not
always universally accepted, and some scholars argue that the linguistic
evidence is inconclusive. The Hittite texts place Ahhiyawa in western
Anatolia, which is in close proximity to the Aegean region traditionally
associated with Achaea, this proximity would support the identification of
Ahhiyawa. Hittite records document diplomatic interactions and conflicts
with Ahhiyawa, which indicates that Ahhiyawa was a significant power in
the Late Bronze Age Aegean, which would correspond with the powerful
Achaean presence described in Homer's epics.
Arguments against "Ahhiyawa" being "Achaea" of Homer, suggest that
there are alternative identifications for Ahhiyawa, such as the island of
Cyprus. The diversity of opinions and options creates uncertainty
surrounding the identification of Ahhiyawa with any specific region. As
well as the argument that the timing of the Hittite references to
Ahhiyawa may not align with the traditional dating of the Trojan War,
which raises questions about whether Ahhiyawa can be directly
connected with the Achaeans of the Homeric epics. The uncertainty and
large speculation used to create these theories leads me to believe until
there is a point where more factually substantiated evidence can be
discovered, we should take these hypotheses with some creative liberties
despite there being some connections.
(7)
5. What do you understand the phrase “world of Homer” to be
referring to? Do you think of the world Homer was
describing, or the world in which he was from? Or, do you
think of something else altogether? Explain your thinking.
The phrase "world of Homer" generally refers to the imagined or
described world that Homer presents in his literary works, and
incorporates the settings, landscapes and cities, characters, cultures, and
events depicted in Homer's epics such as the heroic age, the Trojan War
and the interactions between gods and mortals. Or alternatively, the
phrase could be referring to the historical and cultural context in which
Homer lived. This would encompass the ancient Greek world during the
eighth century BCE, including social practices, religious beliefs, and
geopolitical landscapes that may have influenced Homer's perspectives
and storytelling. The “world of Homer” could be a combination of the two
perspectives where both narrative and literal aspects are combined. In
my thinking, the phrase primarily refers to the narrative world that
Homer created in his epic poems with aspects of “real” life.
(5)
CLA 3 only
6. Outline the logic leading us to the conclusion that the Hittite
“Wilusa” is the same place as Troy.
The identification of Hittite "Wilusa" with the ancient city of Troy is
based on a combination of archaeological, historical, and linguistic
evidence. Such as in the Geographical Context, the Hittite texts describe
"Wilusa" as a city located in northwest Anatolia (modern-day Turkey),
while Troy, is also situated in northwest Anatolia, near the Dardanelles. A
Linguistic correlation between “Wilusa” and “ Ilios” holds that a analysis
reveals similarities between the Hittite term "Wilusa" and the Greek
name "Ilios," where due to cultural differences and changes they differ in
pronunciation, such as the end prefix which refers to a city, However
both of these names could be associated with Troy and the connection
provides a bridge between the Hittite records and Greek sources,
suggesting a shared reference to the same city. The Hittite texts mention
interactions, conflicts, and agreements between the Hittites and Wilusa
and these interactions match some of the events described in Greek
mythology, particularly the Trojan War involving the Greeks and Trojans.
The Hittite records also provide mention to a group known as the
"Ahhiyawa," which some scholars identify with the Achaeans, a term
associated with the Greeks, and the Ahhiyawa are often involved in
events similar to the Trojan War, further creating a link in the Hittite
records with Greek mythology. In terms of archaeological evidence,
excavations at the sites traditionally identified as Troy (Hisarlik) have
uncovered layers corresponding to different historical periods, and these
excavations align with the timeframe of the Trojan War as suggested by
Greek sources and provide material evidence of a significant ancient city
at the location.
(5)
7. What is the significance of the Hittite kings Hattusili III and
Tudhaliya IV both referring to the king of Ahhiyawa as a
“Great King”? What is meant by the term? What implications
does it carry?
The significance of the Hittite kings Hattusili III and Tudhaliya IV both
referring to the king of Ahhiyawa as a "Great King" in the Hittite records
is substantial and holds that concept that the title "Great King" suggests
that the Hittite kings acknowledged the king of Ahhiyawa as a powerful
and influential ruler, as the title was considered a prestigious title in the
ancient world, often denoting rulers of significant power and authority.
Referring to the king of Ahhiyawa with this title indicates a perception of
a higher status over that of just ‘King’. The use of this title could indicate
the existence of political alliances, treaties, or agreements between the
communities and suggests a level of mutual respect and cooperation
between the relevant powers. The title should be interpreted in the
context of the Late Bronze Age, where many of these other Kings of
substantial empires were referring to Ahhiyawa as the “Great King” and
considering the geopolitical landscape and the interrelations of
relationships between various states, it would apply that he was on a
‘higher’ level of governance over the other kings implying he was the
“king” in which the kings reported to. By describing the king of Ahhiyawa
as a "Great King" implies not only political influence but potentially
military significance as well and suggests that the Ahhiyawan ruler had
the power to shape events on a broader scale.
(5)
TOTAL CLA 3: 35
References:
Castleden, R. (2005). The Mycenaeans, New York: Routledge.
Fields,N. (2004). Troy c. 1700-1250 BC, Oxford: Osprey.
