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

2. 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

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

5. The Search for Troy Video 1 Video 2 Video 3
Video 2
Video 3

6. 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”

8. 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

10. 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

11. 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?

12. 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

14. 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

15. 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

16. “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

17. 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

18. 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

19. 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?