Geographical and Historical Context of Troy

Question 1

Strategic Location of Troy

2/4: the strategic location of Troy

Answer 1

• Located on the mouth of the Dardanelles, connecting the Aegean Sea to the Black Sea: one of the most important trade routes in the ancient world
• Ships had to wait in the Troy’s harbours for suitable winds to sail into the Black Sea, so Troy profited from taxing this trade
• Exerted control over trade routes and river/sea transport
• Potential for economic growth and stability: access to zinc, lead, copper, and gold deposits

Question 2

The Minoans

1/4: an overview of the Bronze Age world

Cities, Status of Women, Art

Answer 2

• Influenced by Egyptians (hieroglyphs, columns, profile art)
• Seafaring people, depended on their navy and trade for power and prosperity
• Grew grapes, grains, olives. Traded with Greeks, Egyptians
• Volcanic eruption 80 miles NE of Crete → shockwave levelling Crete’s cities, tidal wave destroying navy, massive fallout of volcanic ash poisoning crops

Factors leading to a peaceful + prosperous civ reflected in its cities, women, and art:

• Large fleet: trade and defence
• Crete’s isolated position: no major threat to its security → no fortifications

Cities:

• Several main cities centred around palace complexes collecting surplus wealth as taxes (largest at Knossos)
• Sophisticated: had water pipes, sewers, toilets
• Location: less crowded cities, more spread out

Status of Women:

• Absence of powerful warrior class for defence: Women had more status (primary deity of Minoans was earth goddess). Women participated with men in gymnastic rituals

Art:

• floral designs, marine wildlife rather than war. Can be found around the Mediterranean → widespread influence of Minoans

Question 3

Greek Gods & The Trojan War

3/4: the Trojan legends

Answer 3

Trojan War Mythical Origins

• Uninvited to the wedding of Peleus and Thetis, goddess Eris threw the Apple of Discord for “the most beautiful goddess”, which was claimed by Athena, Hera, and Aprhodite.
• Paris could not choose which goddess was the most beautiful, so he accepted Aphrodite’s bribe for the most beautiful mortal (Helen of Sparta).

Sides in the war

• Athena and Hera favoured the Greeks
• Aphrodite supported the Trojans
• Apollo favoured the Trojans and sent plagues upon the Greeks

Question 4

Homer and the Epic Cycle

3/4: the Trojan legends

Answer 4

The Iliad

• epic poems that narrate the events of the Trojan War and its aftermath, particularly on the rage of Achilles

Some notable events

• Hector kills Patroclus
• Achilles kills Hector and drags his body around Troy
• notable quote: “What the Hector is going on??”

Question 5

The Myceneans

1/4: an overview of the Bronze Age world

Societal organisation, Industry

Answer 5

• From mainland, exploited Minoan’s weakness to conquer Crete
• Based in the Peloponnese (Southern Greece)
• Civilisation is dedicated to King Agamemnon
• Divided into city states (Mycenae, Pylos, Athens)
• More warlike than Minoans (evidenced by massive walls, gates, armour, war art)
• Palace at Mycenae matches Homer’s decription of Agamemnon’s residence
• Collapsed c.1200 BCE and led to Greek Dark Ages

Societal Organisation

• The Wanax (king)
• Followed by local chiefs and controllers
• Bipartite working system (palace workers and self-employed workers)
• Well-organised agriculture, surplus → tax (evidenced by clay tablet records)

Industry

• Textile: 550 textile workers at Pylos, 900 at Knossos
• Perfume: oils of rose, sage
• Craftsmanship: goldsmiths, ivory- and stone-carvers, potters