Causes of the Trojan war

Question 1

What are the 6 sources which explain the causes?

Answer 1

1. Homer’s Iliad
2. Thomas Bulfinch
3. Thucydides (Greek Historian)
4. Mr Wood
5. trade routes
6. Greed

Question 2

What is the cause based on Iliad?

Answer 2

• started because of Helen
• Judgment of Paris to abduct helena and Agamemnon’s naval expedition to Troy with Greeks to retrieve and punish the Trojans.
• “The face the launched a thousand ships”

Question 3

Thomas Bulfinch’s: modern retelling of ancient Greek myth?

Answer 3

• Similar to Iliad, although used Roman names in replacement for Greek gods.
• The added/diff part was the Helen’s father supposedly made numerous suitors promise to bring her back if she should ever be stolen, before she told her decision to marry King Menalaus’
• maybe why numerous Greek city states followed Agamemnon

Question 4

Thucydides Greek historian?

Answer 4

• war may have been result of a desire by Mycenae, the most important city of its time, to extend its power.
• Maybe the greeks united and went to war due to fear of Mycenaean power at time rathe than for Helen/loyalty. Raised the force against Troy.
• Agamemnon had stronger navy than any other ruler = fear

Question 5

trade routes?

Answer 5

• War may have had economic cause based perhaps on competition for trade.
• Greek trading interest in North East Aegean may have been threatened by Trojan interests.
• Strategic position of Troy may enabled Trojans to control sea traffic from Aegean to Black Sea.
• Mycenae want Troy for resources and trade routes

Question 6

Mr Wood?

Answer 6

• states that it may have been resources for fishes that were sources of Troy’s wealth (Bronze age Cod War)
• Archaeology at Hissarlik may support theory as Schliemann found deep strata of fish bones

Question 7

Greed?

Answer 7

o Rulers of Mycenae, task to build new walls and transform citadel -> growing empire
o To complete it, need wealth, supplies and food for armies/civilization and latest technology = Bronze
o Demand huge resources
o Didn’t have natural resources = want tin for bronze tools/weapons and gold
o Access to wealth motive to join battle

Question 8

Most plausible cause?

Answer 8

Trade routes and resources most plausible as archeological and locational evidence to support it (Uluburun Shipwreck)

Question 9

How was Troy a ‘special’ and ‘desirable’ trading port and city?

Answer 9

o Occupied vital strategic position
o Edge of Dardanelles= trade route -> Korfmann believe important 3000 years ago
o From Mycenaean, because of wealth
o Access to fish resources