Homeric Parallels

[smittysmitty]

'To say that the society that homer described didnt exist is opposing the archaiological findings and even society's course'


Unfortunately to make this type of statement implies one does not have a grasp on the workings of epic oral poetry. Whilst anachronisms from the Mycenaean period are evident in Greek epic oral poetry, these poems should not be confused as being Late Mycenaean Bronze Age poems.

Although such a belief prevailed for much of the first half of this century, the decipherment of the Mycenaean texts (Linear B) 1n the 1950's changed our understanding of the Mycenaean period. The highly complex Mycenaean society with its numerous agricultural and industrial occupations, the presence of writing, as well as a highly elaborate social system appeared far more complicated than that presented by the Homeric poems. Furthermore, the citadel of Troy (Hisarlik) appears to have been little more than a hill top fortress, which was difficult to reconcile to Homer's Troy.

The discovery of a wall some four hundred meters south of the main citadel in the past decade has once again fueled discussion regarding a historic Troy. In addition Hittite records mentioning a vassal state known as Wilusa has philologically been linked with the Greek Ilion. Such records also allude to state relations between the Ahhijawa which is also linked to Achaeans.

Whilst such information perhaps gives credibility to the existance of a 'historic Troy' it does little in the way of supporting the notion of a war ever being conducted by the king of Mycenae. The absence of Hittites in Greek epic poetry, given the vassalage of Wilusa (Ilion) and state relations with the Ahhijawa (Achaeans) is suspect.

Although destructiobn levels are evident at Troy, it is highly conjectural as to who or how such an event took place. Most historians today do not accept the notion
of Greek epic poetry being representative of the Mycenaean Bronze Age.

Other historic periods proposed as being representative of Homer's world have been the Greek "Dark Age' 10th and 9th century BC as suggested by Moses Finley in the 1950's. By the 1970's a deeper understanding and appreciation of Greece's Dark Age and Archaic periods became accessible through the works of archaeoly. The general impression of 10th and 9th century Greece was now one of massively reduced population living in scattered villages, in simple conditions and in relative isolation.

More recently, a new orthodoxy has emerged which is perhaps best represented by the work of Kurt Raafluab. Raafluab advocates the epic world is to be found within the poet's own time of the 8th century. I won't bore you with the detail - but his theory is about as water tight as a sieve.

From an archaeological perspective, Greek epic poetry provides us with some historical inconsistencies. Some of the more obvious problems presented are; the exclusive use of bronze weapons and the use of iron for agricultural and industrial tools as well as a trade commodity are a historical improbability. Such combinations of metal usage can be found to exist no where in the Greek world or surrounding areas at any period. Funeraray practices employing only cremation are also not true of any one period in ancient Greece. The use of spears as throwing weapons as well as a thrusting weapon appears to reflect more than one historic period; and the misunderstood use of chariots indicates a non contemparaneous understanding of its application in the theater of war.

It would appear then, epic poetry presents as a conflation of both Bronze and Iron Age cultures of Greece - such a result is typically due to the mechanics of oral poetry.
So then, I hope that it makes sense now, that the Homeric world did not exist at any one time. It is not Mycenaean, Dark Age or Archaic period - its a combination of all with a touch of embellishment.


Cheers!

[smittysmitty]

I've jus finished a twelve hour shift, its now just after 9 in the morning - if this post sounds perculiar , my apologies. Having re-read it i dont even know if it makes sense. I seem to have been a little brief in certain areas LoL. Never mind I'm tired, time for bed - any questions I'll try to respond at a later stge. Night all.

[dean]

Hello,

Just to answer Marcus's post a few back- didn't the Thessalians have a great skill in the use of the chariot and I seem to recall that Achilleus's method of carting Hektor's body back to the Greek's camp was not unheard of in Thesally using a chariot

ATB
Dean