Did ancient Troy really exist? - Einav Zamir Dembin
TED-Ed・2 minutes read
Homer's Iliad recounts the Trojan War from the 8th century BCE, inspiring Frank Calvert to identify Hisarlık as Troy in Turkey, with Heinrich Schliemann's excavation in 1868 revealing Troy VII's violent end in 1180 BCE, contradicting Homer's timeline but affirming the city's strategic significance at the Dardanelles strait.
Insights
- Frank Calvert and Heinrich Schliemann's work in identifying and excavating Troy in Turkey showcased the intersection of literature and archaeology, shedding light on the historical accuracy of ancient texts.
- The discovery of Troy VII's ruins, despite discrepancies with Homer's timeline, highlighted the significance of the city as a powerful and strategically vital location in the ancient world, emphasizing the complexity of historical narratives and the layers of history that can be uncovered through archaeological exploration.
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Recent questions
Where was the Trojan War site located?
The Trojan War site was located in Hisarlık, Çanakkale, Turkey.
When was the Iliad transcribed?
The Iliad was transcribed in the 8th century BCE.
Who identified the potential site of Troy?
Frank Calvert identified the potential site of Troy.
What did Schliemann's excavation reveal?
Schliemann's excavation revealed artifacts from the Mycenaean Age.
What was the strategic importance of Troy?
Troy was strategically located at the Dardanelles strait.
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Summary
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Discovery of Troy: Uncovering Ancient History's Secrets
- Homer’s Iliad, recounting the Trojan War, was transcribed in the 8th century BCE from oral tradition, detailing the siege, duels, and eventual destruction of Troy.
- Frank Calvert, inspired by Homer’s descriptions, identified Hisarlık as the potential site of Troy in Çanakkale, Turkey, leading to Heinrich Schliemann’s excavation in 1868.
- Schliemann’s excavation uncovered artifacts from the Mycenaean Age, not aligning with Homer’s timeline, but revealed Troy VII’s violent end around 1180 BCE, a thriving city with fortifications and strategic importance at the Dardanelles strait.
