In Search of Homer’s Cities Chapter 8 In Search of Homer’s Cities

Key Terms Heinrich Schliemann – German businessman (see next slide) Hissarlik – site of ancient Troy Tel – mound of earth made up of the ruins of an early culture King Priam’s Treasure – contained over 8,000 priceless artifacts Tholos tomb – huge tomb built in the shape of a beehive Treasury of Atreus – in Mycenae, built by a king (did not contain any valuables) Pausanias – Greek traveler; Schliemann used his diary to lead him to Grave Circle A Grave Circle A – gravesite with round, double fence of stone slabs Nestor’s cup – artifact discovered at Grave Circle A; Schliemann thought it looked like the one described in The Odyssey Dromos tombs – long, narrow caves used for burial Megaron – large hall

Heinrich Schliemann German merchant, world traveler, and archeologist. Had enormous linguistic ability and personal determination Why was he so interested in Troy and Mycenae?

The Search for Troy Video 1 Video 2 Video 3 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K0jkFPDx8k0 Video 2 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KOS5exQ2Uyw Video 3 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gHbKTpuNQY4

A Scientific Method Began in 1870 at Hissarlik He chose this location based on Homer’s descriptions He found a tel and believed it could contain artifacts Hired workmen and began to excavate He had a plan for the excavation How was this a different method? What was the most common way artifacts were recovered before? The “Father of Scientific Excavation”

Multiple Troys Hissarlik was a complicated site How many cities did they uncover? Similar to Egypt, when houses of mud-brick crumbled, they simply tore it down and built a new one The same thing happened if the entire town was destroyed Troy was an ideal location, so future generations would level the ground and build on top of the old city

King Priam’s Treasure In “City 2,” Schliemann’s workers uncovered many ancient artifacts Knowing they discovered something valuable, Schliemann sent his workmen home for the day There were over 8,000 pieces – gold cups, copper daggers, jewelry, etc. Schliemann was convinced that he had found the Troy described by Homer

Recent Findings New technology indicates that Schliemann did not find Homer’s Troy Homer’s Troy was determined to be the 7th city Schliemann found objects from hundreds of years before the Trojan War Schliemann made some mistakes Cross-section damaged other parts of the tel Schliemann kept the artifacts he found – instead of turning them over to Turkey He next traveled to Greece to find the ancient kingdom of Mycenae - why?

The Citadel at Mycenae Location was well-known Schliemann hired another crew to dig for him What was unique about the ancient wall? The Greeks were clearly focused on war and defense of their cities The lion gate is one of the earliest coat-of-arms in history

Tholos tomb A tholos tomb was located outside the walls of the citadel Built for kings of Mycenae Schliemann called it the Treasury of Atreus He thought it must have been for a king because of its size Treasury of Atreus Atreus was the father of King Agamemnon No treasures actually found here, but it gave Schliemann the motivation to look for more tombs

Citadel at Mycenae Pausanias Grave Circle A A Greek traveler; visited Mycenae 1,600 years before 1894 His diaries gave Schliemann a different idea about where to look for more tombs Grave Circle A Schliemann uncovered this royal graveyard It contained 19 skeletons Lots of gold, including 5 death masks, like those of the ancient Egyptians. Other personal possessions – Nestor’s cup

“Mask of Agamemnon” Schliemann was sure he had found the tomb of Agamemnon and his siblings “I have looked upon the face of Agamemnon!” The riches he found were, once again, from a much earlier time period

Discoveries by Later Archaeologists Tombs were used for multiple people Dromos tombs Smaller than the tholos tomb Long, narrow caves May have been used for high-ranking warriors The citadel at Mycenae today More has been uncovered Palace had a megaron

Schliemann’s Later Years Also excavated at the citadel of Tiryns Used writings of Pausanius Traveled to Crete He thought Mycenean civilization began in Crete Unable to purchase land Sir Arthur Evans started his work ten years after the death of Schliemann Schliemann’s work historically significant Greek civilization began much earlier than previously thought

Questions (page 80) Why was Heinrich Schliemann considered a “self-made man?” Why is Schliemann considered the “Father of Scientific Excavation?” Why were there so many Troys? Describe Priam’s Treasure What is a tholos tomb? What is the lion gate? Tell the story of the discovery of the golden “mask of Agamemnon.” What is a megaron? Why did Schliemann want to dig in Crete? Why is Schliemann so important?