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Archaeology and the Iliad: The Trojan War in Homer and History
The Trojan War, captured forever in Homer’s epic poem the Iliad, resonates to the present day in the popular imagination, and this magnificent confrontation continues to exert a tremendous influence on modern audiences.
But did Troy actually exist? And if so, where is it located? Was the Trojan War actually fought? If it was, did it take place over the course of ten years, as Homer wrote, or was it a much longer series of battles? And why was the war fought? Could Helen’s face alone really have launched a thousand ships?
In this course, esteemed professor Eric H. Cline examines the real history of Troy and delves into the archaeological discoveries (which continue to the present day) that help to answer the questions above. Through an entertaining and incisive analysis of known data, Professor Cline provides a fuller, richer understanding of this historic clash.
lecture 1. The tale of the Trojan War, introduction and overview.
lecture 2. The Mycenaens
lecture 3. The Hittites
lecture 4. The Sea peoples and the end of the late Bronze Age
lecture 5. Greek literary evidence for the Trojan War and its sequence of events
lecture 6. The Homeric question, Bronze Age or Iron Age lecture 7. Hittite literary evidence for Troy, the Mycenaens and the Trojan War
lecture 8. Heinrich Schliemann and the City of Troy
lecture 9. Priam's treasure
lecture 10. Wilhelm Dörpfeld and the City of Troy VI
lecture 11. Carl Blegen and the City of Troy VIIa
lecture 12. Manfred Korfmann and the results of recent excavations
lecture 13. Possible motivations and dates for a Trojan War
lecture 14. Did the Trojan War take place?
But did Troy actually exist? And if so, where is it located? Was the Trojan War actually fought? If it was, did it take place over the course of ten years, as Homer wrote, or was it a much longer series of battles? And why was the war fought? Could Helen’s face alone really have launched a thousand ships?
In this course, esteemed professor Eric H. Cline examines the real history of Troy and delves into the archaeological discoveries (which continue to the present day) that help to answer the questions above. Through an entertaining and incisive analysis of known data, Professor Cline provides a fuller, richer understanding of this historic clash.
lecture 1. The tale of the Trojan War, introduction and overview.
lecture 2. The Mycenaens
lecture 3. The Hittites
lecture 4. The Sea peoples and the end of the late Bronze Age
lecture 5. Greek literary evidence for the Trojan War and its sequence of events
lecture 6. The Homeric question, Bronze Age or Iron Age lecture 7. Hittite literary evidence for Troy, the Mycenaens and the Trojan War
lecture 8. Heinrich Schliemann and the City of Troy
lecture 9. Priam's treasure
lecture 10. Wilhelm Dörpfeld and the City of Troy VI
lecture 11. Carl Blegen and the City of Troy VIIa
lecture 12. Manfred Korfmann and the results of recent excavations
lecture 13. Possible motivations and dates for a Trojan War
lecture 14. Did the Trojan War take place?
Audio CD
First published January 1, 2006
About the author
Eric H. Cline
43 books459 followersDR. ERIC H. CLINE is the former Chair of the Department of Classical and Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations and current Director of the Capitol Archaeological Institute at The George Washington University. A National Geographic Explorer, NEH Public Scholar, and Fulbright scholar with degrees from Dartmouth, Yale, and the University of Pennsylvania, he is an active field archaeologist with 30 seasons of excavation and survey experience in Israel, Egypt, Jordan, Cyprus, Greece, Crete, and the United States, including ten seasons at the site of Megiddo (biblical Armageddon) in Israel from 1994-2014, and seven seasons at Tel Kabri, where he currently serves as Co-Director. A three-time winner of the Biblical Archaeology Society's "Best Popular Book on Archaeology" Award (2001, 2009, and 2011) and two-time winner of the American School of Archaeology's "Nancy Lapp Award for Best Popular Archaeology Book" (2014 and 2018), he is a popular lecturer who has appeared frequently on television documentaries and has also won national and local awards for both his research and his teaching. He is the author or editor of 20 books, almost 100 articles, and three recorded 14-lecture courses. His previous books written specifically for the general public include "The Battles of Armageddon: Megiddo and the Jezreel Valley from the Bronze Age to the Nuclear Age" (2000), "Jerusalem Besieged: From Ancient Canaan to Modern Israel" (2004), "From Eden to Exile: Unraveling Mysteries of the Bible" (2007), "Biblical Archaeology: A Very Short Introduction" (2009), "The Trojan War: A Very Short Introduction" (2013), "1177 BC: The Year Civilization Collapsed" (2014), “Three Stones Make a Wall: The Story of Archaeology" (2017), and “Digging Up Armageddon” (2020). He has also co-authored a children's book on Troy, entitled "Digging for Troy" (2011). For a video of his "Last Lecture" talk, go to http://vimeo.com/7091059.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
April 17, 2024
After reading (and loving) Emily Wilson's new translation of The Iliad, I've been meaning to dig out this lecture series addressing the reality behind the epic poem. In my experience, both Modern Scholar and Great Courses audio lecture series vary widely in quality. Maybe the material is good but the presentation is boring/annoying, or it could be the reverse - exciting lecturer, but nothing new or particularly interesting in the content.
This was good on both counts. Before listening I had a decent understanding of the history and culture of the time and place, and the excavations at the site generally accepted to be Troy, but there was plenty of material in these 14 lectures that was new to me. Cline does a nice job of balancing such matters as which of the 9 cities layered on the site was the one described by Homer; whether any other Bronze Age civilizations had an interest in, or participated in, the war; or whether there was one 10 year war or a series of battles 0ver a period of 10 years, or even longer.
In short, if you have an interest in learning more about the late Bronze Age in the eastern Mediterranean area, and Troy in particular, I can recommend this as an enjoyable, easy listening, but still informative, series of lectures by a very well qualified professor of archeology.
This was good on both counts. Before listening I had a decent understanding of the history and culture of the time and place, and the excavations at the site generally accepted to be Troy, but there was plenty of material in these 14 lectures that was new to me. Cline does a nice job of balancing such matters as which of the 9 cities layered on the site was the one described by Homer; whether any other Bronze Age civilizations had an interest in, or participated in, the war; or whether there was one 10 year war or a series of battles 0ver a period of 10 years, or even longer.
In short, if you have an interest in learning more about the late Bronze Age in the eastern Mediterranean area, and Troy in particular, I can recommend this as an enjoyable, easy listening, but still informative, series of lectures by a very well qualified professor of archeology.
January 10, 2016
1. Archaeology and the Iliad: The Trojan War in Homer and History
The Modern Scholar lecture series
by Eric H. Cline
2006, ~8:00 (comes with 64 page booklet with all info, but I’m calling it 220 pages based on the time)
listened Dec 28 - Jan 6
Rating: 3 stars
Not much to this. If was informative, but really it was very thin.
I'm glad I listened because Cline gives a summary of the thinking, as of 2006, on what Troy was, on who the Trojans and Achaeans were, on what may have happened and when and why, and on how much truth there is in The Iliad. He also provides an overview of the history of the archaeology around all this, including the work of Heinrich Schliemann.
Schliemann, a self-made American millionaire, a compulsive liar and an all-around scoundrel, led the first excavation of Troy and Mycenae. In Troy he mistakenly dug right through the era of The Iliad straight down to a city that was 1000 year older. So, Homer's Troy was largely lost to archaeology. He also manipulated all his finds, making them very hard to use in any historical way. And he falsely proclaimed himself the discoverer of Troy, even though he was tipped off by someone else (an American council who found inscriptions on the site that he was able to read that said New Ilium). This last lie wasn't discovered for decades. He is considered the father of archaeology.
The is good in these lectures is that Cline is a highly regarded archaeologist who knows a lot about Troy and region. The problem is that he really does a lot of filler, stretching a 64 page pamphlet to 8 hours without really adding any substance. He spends a lot if time telling us what he will tell us and then what he told us - lots of intro and conclusion and repetition - but not much content.
The Modern Scholar lecture series
by Eric H. Cline
2006, ~8:00 (comes with 64 page booklet with all info, but I’m calling it 220 pages based on the time)
listened Dec 28 - Jan 6
Rating: 3 stars
Not much to this. If was informative, but really it was very thin.
I'm glad I listened because Cline gives a summary of the thinking, as of 2006, on what Troy was, on who the Trojans and Achaeans were, on what may have happened and when and why, and on how much truth there is in The Iliad. He also provides an overview of the history of the archaeology around all this, including the work of Heinrich Schliemann.
Schliemann, a self-made American millionaire, a compulsive liar and an all-around scoundrel, led the first excavation of Troy and Mycenae. In Troy he mistakenly dug right through the era of The Iliad straight down to a city that was 1000 year older. So, Homer's Troy was largely lost to archaeology. He also manipulated all his finds, making them very hard to use in any historical way. And he falsely proclaimed himself the discoverer of Troy, even though he was tipped off by someone else (an American council who found inscriptions on the site that he was able to read that said New Ilium). This last lie wasn't discovered for decades. He is considered the father of archaeology.
The is good in these lectures is that Cline is a highly regarded archaeologist who knows a lot about Troy and region. The problem is that he really does a lot of filler, stretching a 64 page pamphlet to 8 hours without really adding any substance. He spends a lot if time telling us what he will tell us and then what he told us - lots of intro and conclusion and repetition - but not much content.
Read
December 12, 2020a bit dense, and as it's in audiobook format my attention wove in and out, but it's really comprehensive and the author's approach is really compelling, addresses all sorts of topics from Hittites, Myceneans, Sea Peoples, the vertical layers of the Troy site, the history of discovery and excavations, a resolution to the question of the historical truth of the Homeric epic.
February 20, 2009
These lectures contain a good overview of the archaeological discoveries that provide information about the late bronze age when the events in The Iliad occurred. An analysis of the known data provides an fascinating view of political, technological and economic conditions at the time. Likewise, the events during the 500 year period when the story was being carried forward until the time of Homer when the story was written down also had their impact on the narrative of The Iliad. Another interesting issue discussed is how many of the details in The Iliad reflect the iron age technology of the time of Homer as opposed to the bronze age technology of the time of the Trojan War. Also, the discussion of the Epic Cycle is interesting. The Epic Cycle includes the parts of the story related to the Trojan War that are not contained in Homer's stories and have been preserved in fragmentary form through quotes by later writers.
The following are my musings and are not necessarily a review of the contents of the lectures:
It's interesting to note that the 500 years between the time of Homer and the Trojan War is considered by historians to be the Greek Dark Ages. That is because the fairly advanced late bronze age civilization described in The Iliad collapsed soon after the Trojan War. This can partly explain the motivation of the story tellers during the Greek Dark Ages for keeping alive the memories of a golden past. Homer's admiration of those past glorious times was probably similar to the enthusiasm of the Renaissance writers for the memories of the Roman Empire and ancient Greece. The two cases are different in that Homer and his scribe were putting their stories into writing for the first time, whereas the Renaissance writers were finding, saving and learning from old manuscripts. It's interesting to note how much of human history has been looking back in time to a golden age past as the source for wisdom. Since The Enlightenment the expectations have shifted toward looking to the future for increased knowledge and understanding. The recent global economic meltdown is a reminder how quickly things can change. Could we be witnessing the beginning of another dark age? We may be remembered in the future as the wise masters of a golden past era. Wow, and we didn't even know that we were that smart!
The following are my musings and are not necessarily a review of the contents of the lectures:
It's interesting to note that the 500 years between the time of Homer and the Trojan War is considered by historians to be the Greek Dark Ages. That is because the fairly advanced late bronze age civilization described in The Iliad collapsed soon after the Trojan War. This can partly explain the motivation of the story tellers during the Greek Dark Ages for keeping alive the memories of a golden past. Homer's admiration of those past glorious times was probably similar to the enthusiasm of the Renaissance writers for the memories of the Roman Empire and ancient Greece. The two cases are different in that Homer and his scribe were putting their stories into writing for the first time, whereas the Renaissance writers were finding, saving and learning from old manuscripts. It's interesting to note how much of human history has been looking back in time to a golden age past as the source for wisdom. Since The Enlightenment the expectations have shifted toward looking to the future for increased knowledge and understanding. The recent global economic meltdown is a reminder how quickly things can change. Could we be witnessing the beginning of another dark age? We may be remembered in the future as the wise masters of a golden past era. Wow, and we didn't even know that we were that smart!
April 13, 2021
I think this book is a great introduction to the history of Trojan archaeology—I’m no expert, so this is more of a reflection of its ability to pique my interest (which it did) than its academic credibility. I particularly enjoyed the attention that Cline gave to Hittite and Egyptian textual sources as well as the investigation into competing theories (where was Troy, when was Troy, (what) was the Trojan horse, etc.).
My one gripe was that the book cycles through states of (1) declaring what it is about to describe, (2) describing it, and (3) summarizing what it just described. Parts 1 and 3 could easily be excised. I understand this is an adaptation of a college course and that it might be more helpful if this was read/attended over a period of ten weeks rather than two days, but in print (or audiobook form), he really didn’t need to bookend every single chapter with a mission statement and restatement.
That aside, this was a very intriguing look into what may (wrongly) seem to be a dry topic. It is entertaining yet academic; scholarly, yet accessible.
My one gripe was that the book cycles through states of (1) declaring what it is about to describe, (2) describing it, and (3) summarizing what it just described. Parts 1 and 3 could easily be excised. I understand this is an adaptation of a college course and that it might be more helpful if this was read/attended over a period of ten weeks rather than two days, but in print (or audiobook form), he really didn’t need to bookend every single chapter with a mission statement and restatement.
That aside, this was a very intriguing look into what may (wrongly) seem to be a dry topic. It is entertaining yet academic; scholarly, yet accessible.
July 1, 2024
Very detailed (perhaps too detailed for casual interest) overview of the history of archaeology connected to the site of Hisarlik in Turkey where Schliemann famously declared Troy had been found. It's by necessity also a history of the development of archaeology as a discipline, from the earliest "gentleman-scholar" types like Schliemann turning over massive amounts of earth looking for the best trinkets, to the contemporary use of narrow trenches, multidisciplinary analysis and nondestructive ground penetrating radar (Korfmann).
Cline gives you the 'one the one hand' and 'on the other' for most of these issues; Schliemann himself is a controversial figure, but you don't get the portrait of a villain (as some sources now paint him), but also his later reform, and what progress he actually made (clumsy or not). Similarly on the topic of Troy, the entire lecture series leaves the question of whether Hisarlik is Troy partially up in the air, trying to give you enough information to have an educated guess for yourself. Cline himself (spoiler?) comes down on the side that it is (but says he changes his mind on this often), in a particular layer of the long occupied and rebuilt site.
The uncertainty of earlier discussions of this topic has been swept aside by "new" data at the time of this recording (copyright 2006), but that still leaves 20 years of later work. Korfmann's excavations are covered as new, and he finished in 2005. Point being that while this is relatively up to date (given the long debates on this topic), there's inevitably a lot not covered.
Cline gives you the 'one the one hand' and 'on the other' for most of these issues; Schliemann himself is a controversial figure, but you don't get the portrait of a villain (as some sources now paint him), but also his later reform, and what progress he actually made (clumsy or not). Similarly on the topic of Troy, the entire lecture series leaves the question of whether Hisarlik is Troy partially up in the air, trying to give you enough information to have an educated guess for yourself. Cline himself (spoiler?) comes down on the side that it is (but says he changes his mind on this often), in a particular layer of the long occupied and rebuilt site.
The uncertainty of earlier discussions of this topic has been swept aside by "new" data at the time of this recording (copyright 2006), but that still leaves 20 years of later work. Korfmann's excavations are covered as new, and he finished in 2005. Point being that while this is relatively up to date (given the long debates on this topic), there's inevitably a lot not covered.
January 30, 2023
Modern Scholar released in 2006 George Washington University Prof Eric Cline’s course “The Archaeology and the Iliad: The Trojan War in Homer and History.” The 14 lecture course begins with an overview and a wonderful commentary about roles played by the Hittites, Mycenaeans, and Bronze Age “Sea People” in the 1175 BC Trojan War. He then talks out the literary significance of this war, and the 100+ years of archaeological excavations done to validate if Troy existed and if the conquest of Troy was an historic event. The lectures conclude with an outstanding two lecture presentation about the existence of Troy, Homer’s recount of what occurred, and the themes portrayed in the Iliad Trojan War saga. These timeless themes cover rivalry, greed, love, warfare, honor, heroism, betrayal, and cowardice. Eric also provides compelling evidence that the Iliad was written by a single author (Homer) who wrote about the War 500 years after it occurred. Prof Cline’s lectures are thoughtful and very well done. (L)
July 9, 2024
Eric Cline’s lecture series on the archaeology of the Trojan War is rich in tidbits that, Cline says, will serve you well at cocktail parties. Did Iron Age Homer get his Bronze Age military details right? Mostly. But not the tactics and design of chariots. Those were from the Iron Age. Was there one battle or a bunch of them around Troy? Hard to tell, but probably a bunch. Which of the multiple cities at the Troy site is the one we want? The story of the excavation from nineteenth-century scoundrel looters to current science is fascinating, as is the fate of Priam’s treasure. Hint: you have to go to Russia. In the end, I am more amazed than ever by the historical stability of the oral tradition that produced the Homeric poems.
April 28, 2018
This book was slightly more informal than I would have liked, and focused a bit more on the history of archaeology than I thought was interesting, but it was still quite good as an introduction to Bronze-Age Aegean civilizations. I enjoyed it, and would look for other things by the author.
June 3, 2022
This is a course of 14 lectures on Troy. I found it helpful, as it covers the major issues, so now I'm equipped with basic knowledge and may decide if I want to dive deeper into a particular theme.
However, for those who are not beginners in the topic, this course might seem superficial.
However, for those who are not beginners in the topic, this course might seem superficial.
July 6, 2019
Full of interesting information and the latest archaeological findings, but there is still not enough known to definitively say the Trojan War actually occurred as Homer described.
February 4, 2020
Charmingly salty!
November 1, 2009
I very much enjoy these audio lectures when driving to Portland (6 hours) or Seattle (3 hours). This one was particularly good and I would like to take classes from Dr. Cline. I have been in love with Troy since I read a book about Heinrich Schliemann called (I think) The Gold of Troy, when I was about 10 years old. I took a fair amount of ancient history in college and (a little known fact) was even accepted into graduate school in ancient history at UW, but moved to WV with my first husband and had babies instead and truly think I was better and happier as a mother and librarian. BUT, my interest in the romantic side of archaeology and in Troy and the Iliad remains strong. A lot of new information has come to light since I last investigated it. I totally relished getting in the car and listening to these lectures.
October 15, 2011
This was informative about the theories of the Trojan war, Homer's Illiad, the various cities of Troy and the peoples that lived at that time; Hittites, Myceneans/Acheans, Trojans and the Sea People invaders. Im a geek for this time period. Dr. Cline had a sense of humor & I appreciated that. He made me think, rethink & question preconceived ideas. It was a pensive adventure in the desert! Check this lecture series out on Audible if you like this time period.
March 30, 2014
An incredibly fascinating and well-done lecture series that examines the archaeological evidence behind the story of Troy as told in Homer's epic the Iliad. This isn't a lecture about necessarily "proving" that Homer's story is historically accurate, but more what archaeology has shown us about the period as depicted by him. Cline is a good speaker and the material he presents held my interest all the way through. This one I would mark as "highly recommended".
June 4, 2014
He mentions a possibility that Hisarlik is not really "ancient Troy" at all, but then he says that is highly unlikely to be the case. It's brave of him, though, to admit that all the archaeologists who buy into the idea that Troy existed and has been excavated could be completely off base. And it leaves the field wide open for future discoveries. Very interesting lecture series that should appeal to students of arts & sciences.
February 25, 2012
This lecture series piqued my interest in archaeology and all the unanswered or partially answered questions related to the Trojan War and other historical events. Most of all, it made me want to study the Hittites and learn their language. :)
June 20, 2024
Did the Trojan War take place? Here is the evidence and a few interpretations of that evidence.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews