Heinrich Schliemann:
Heinrich Schliemann Archaeologist in late 19th cen.
Found remains of Troy
Gave historical basis for Trojan War
War could have taken place
Poems derived from its traditions
Trojan War:
Trojan War Troy was destroyed
Women and children taken as slaves
Greeks came together as a nation
National security with common purpose
Established Greek character
Gained values
Concentrated in poems
History preserved orally
The Odyssey:
The Odyssey
Setting:
Setting Sequel to the Iliad
Commonly dated 700 B.C.
Ionian Islands
Ithaca
Written in Dactylic Hexameter
More comedic than Iliad
Plot:
Plot Story of Odysseus and his journey home to Ithaca after the Trojan War
Journey takes 10 years
Wife Penelope and son Telemachus have to deal with unwanted suitors at home
Theme:
Theme The flaws of Odysseus
Excessive pride, arrogance, hubris
He triumphs with smarts, not just pure strength
The Homeric Question:
The Homeric Question