Myth vs Reality - Understanding the Trojan War

[Gordon Doherty]

The legend of the Trojan War is recounted in Homer’s Iliad – a revered text, arguably the crux of classical literature and foundational to the history of Western civilization. In that previous sentence, you might notice two words that sit somewhat at odds: history and legend.

This blog looks between the Iliad's verses and tries to shine a light upon the historical reality behind the epic story:

Myth vs Reality - Understanding The Trojan War

The legend of the Trojan War is recounted in Homer’s Iliad – a revered text, arguably the crux of classical literature and foundational to the history of Western civilization. In that previous...

www.gordondoherty.co.uk

 

[paranoid marvin]

One civilisation laying siege to another is the age-old story of human civilisation. I doubt that there was ever a great horse built that housed enough men to open up the city; more likely the Trojan horse was probably some trick or ruse, or perhaps something to do with a cavalry tactic to gain access to the city.

 

[BAYLOR]

Troy was of Hittite origin ? Fascinating.

 

[Gordon Doherty]

One civilisation laying siege to another is the age-old story of human civilisation. I doubt that there was ever a great horse built that housed enough men to open up the city; more likely the Trojan horse was probably some trick or ruse, or perhaps something to do with a cavalry tactic to gain access to the city.

Watch out for a future blog from me about the horse!
David Gemmell worked a wonderful twist into his Troy trilogy with cavalry. As beautiful as it was I think it's also unlikely because armed warriors charging on horseback wasn't really viable in that era (smaller horses prior to the development of diet and breeding techniques) - hence the predominance of chariots.

 

[Gordon Doherty]

Troy was of Hittite origin ? Fascinating.

Well, it's a debatable matter at least
They were almost certainly melting-pot in terms of culture, but couldn't have failed to incorporate the customs and practices of their near super-neighbours the Hittite Empire!

 

[BAYLOR]

Watch out for a future blog from me about the horse!
David Gemmell worked a wonderful twist into his Troy trilogy with cavalry. As beautiful as it was I think it's also unlikely because armed warriors charging on horseback wasn't really viable in that era (smaller horses prior to the development of diet and breeding techniques) - hence the predominance of chariots.

The Shatter Horse by S P Somtow . It's fantasy but , You might find the story premise to be of interest.

 

[Gordon Doherty]

Thank you - I will have a look at that

 

[BAYLOR]

Thank you - I will have a look at that

The Shattered Horse. is the correct title ,sorry slight typo on my part.

 

[Gordon Doherty]

A second blog article in the series: "The Armies of the Trojan War"
https://www.gordondoherty.co.uk/writeblog/the-armies-of-the-trojan-warThe Armies of the Trojan War

(artwork by Giuseppe Rava)

 

[Gordon Doherty]

A third article in the series

Could the legendary events that led to the founding of Rome have turned out very differently? This blog searches for a missing piece of the Trojan War jigsaw - the whereabouts of the Hittite Empire, at the time of the war Troy's supposed overlords and protectors.

Troy's Absent Saviours

The Trojan War. Everyone knows at least the kernel of the story : Prince Paris of Troy abducted Helen, Queen of Sparta. Incensed, the Greeks gathered a giant army, landed at Troy and besieged the...

www.gordondoherty.co.uk

(Note, there is a book ad at the foot of the article - just so you know up front)

(A depiction of the Hittite chariot elites dealing with some insurgents, by Angel Garcia Pinto)

 

[svalbard]

Good article. I am nearly finished The Shadow of Troy. The other books in the series are really. I think you have done a great job in bringing late Bronze Age Middle East to life. One question. The strange garb of the Seha Riverland Warriors. Your invention or research?

 

[Gordon Doherty]

Good article. I am nearly finished The Shadow of Troy. The other books in the series are really. I think you have done a great job in bringing late Bronze Age Middle East to life. One question. The strange garb of the Seha Riverland Warriors. Your invention or research?

Thanks for the kind words, and for trying the series - glad you're enjoying!
As for the Seha Riverland warriors... their preference for wearing 'not a stitch on their bottom halves' is invention. I saw it as a) a means of distinguishing them from the many other tribes and b) a perfect opportunity for some good old gutter humour!
The second reason in particular I find vital. When writing about such brutality and dark events, I really need a palate-cleanser of humour every so often, and my sense of humour - as you might have noticed - is still very much at schoolboy level

Anyway, I'm editing book 6 - the last in the series, entitled 'The Dark Earth' - now. Hope to have it polished and ready to publish next spring or summer. The trouserless/kiltless ones make an appearance in that volume

 

[svalbard]

I will look forward to that. I have thoroughly enjoyed the journey with Hattu.

 

[BAYLOR]

A third article in the series

Could the legendary events that led to the founding of Rome have turned out very differently? This blog searches for a missing piece of the Trojan War jigsaw - the whereabouts of the Hittite Empire, at the time of the war Troy's supposed overlords and protectors.

Troy's Absent Saviours

The Trojan War. Everyone knows at least the kernel of the story : Prince Paris of Troy abducted Helen, Queen of Sparta. Incensed, the Greeks gathered a giant army, landed at Troy and besieged the...

www.gordondoherty.co.uk

(Note, there is a book ad at the foot of the article - just so you know up front)

View attachment 83127
(A depiction of the Hittite chariot elites dealing with some insurgents, by Angel Garcia Pinto)

In alternate timeline, Hattusilis executes his nephew instead of sparing him , With Urhi Teshub out the picture, everyone in the the Hittite Empire fall into line behind Hattusilis and with that the fortunes of the Hittite empire change. With the Hittite support, the Trojans defeats the Greeks and with their fall . they cultural influence in the Mediterranean region gets significantly reduced and never rise again. Hattusilis allies himself with Egypt and together they march on and defeat the Assyrians and reduce their cites to rubble. I think the Romans still happen but ,this time around they're facing a very powerful Hittite empire and and equally powerful Egyptian empire both of whom would be a match for them and on top of that, there would be their client kingdoms which would include Carthage. The Romans would be effectively held in check.

I do admit Im making more than few long shot assumptions and presumptions what could have happened.

 

[Gordon Doherty]

In alternate timeline, Hattusilis executes his nephew instead of sparing him , With Urhi Teshub out the picture, everyone in the the Hittite Empire fall into line behind Hattusilis and with that the fortunes of the Hittite empire change. With the Hittite support, the Trojans defeats the Greeks and with their fall . they cultural influence in the Mediterranean region gets significantly reduced and never rise again. Hattusilis allies himself with Egypt and together they march on and defeat the Assyrians and reduce their cites to rubble. I think the Romans still happen but ,this time around they're facing a very powerful Hittite empire and and equally powerful Egyptian empire both of whom would be a match for them and on top of that, there would be their client kingdoms which would include Carthage. The Romans would be effectively held in check.

I do admit Im making more than few long shot assumptions and presumptions what could have happened.

I love that! Alternate history - especially concerning the Roman Empire - is a bit of a plaything of mine. I've never considered it from this angle though!
The era when Rome was squashed up against an ultra-powerful, militaristic Sassanid Persia is probably my favourite... so yeah swap the Sassanids for a duo of Egypt and Hittites and you have a three-pronged tussle...
...I'm getting carried away with it now

 

[BAYLOR]

I love that! Alternate history - especially concerning the Roman Empire - is a bit of a plaything of mine. I've never considered it from this angle though!
The era when Rome was squashed up against an ultra-powerful, militaristic Sassanid Persia is probably my favourite... so yeah swap the Sassanids for a duo of Egypt and Hittites and you have a three-pronged tussle...
...I'm getting carried away with it now

Given Greeces contributions to Mathematics , Philosophy, politics , government , history science and literature, their downfall would have huge consequences for the world that came after . No Alexander the Great, the city of Alexandria not its library ever get built, no expansion of Greek ideas and knowledge , no Iliad , if there is story , it's written by some else and, has afar different narrative and ending. And of course no Odyssey either.

I think that in this timeline, Rome is effectively blocked from control and expansion of any kind into the Mediterranean . So what they do is strike north into Germany and, I think they ultimately subdue and pacify the whole region but this will prove expensive in lives and resources, after that the leaders of Rome will conclude that the best course of action is to grant the Germans full citizenship within the Empire .Thus further pacifying them by giving them a stake in things. I think it possible they also will still land in Britain and with the addition resources and manpower , a their disposal ,they bring the entire Island under their controll and very likely , Ireland as well. They may or may not make play for Norway and Scandinavia , I think they wait on that . As For Gaul, in this version of history, The Romans have far better relationship because likely conclude that it makes sense to have strong ally, so they help unite the people of Gaul into a unified Kingdom under one overall Chief/King . What you have is a Europe with Four significantly powerful states . This circumstance would lily blunt all the barbarian invasion including Mongols as well.

At some point in history , those Four states start to look in the direction of the Atlantic and beyond . The age of exploration happens in this timeline, only earlier and unflods quite differently then our timeline.

 

[svalbard]

In alternate timeline, Hattusilis executes his nephew instead of sparing him , With Urhi Teshub out the picture, everyone in the the Hittite Empire fall into line behind Hattusilis and with that the fortunes of the Hittite empire change. With the Hittite support, the Trojans defeats the Greeks and with their fall . they cultural influence in the Mediterranean region gets significantly reduced and never rise again. Hattusilis allies himself with Egypt and together they march on and defeat the Assyrians and reduce their cites to rubble. I think the Romans still happen but ,this time around they're facing a very powerful Hittite empire and and equally powerful Egyptian empire both of whom would be a match for them and on top of that, there would be their client kingdoms which would include Carthage. The Romans would be effectively held in check.

I do admit Im making more than few long shot assumptions and presumptions what could have happened.

I like that alternate history. To counter though. The Sea People's will still happen. There is a cultural, climatic and economic transition happening in this period. History throws up these eras at times. I believe we are on the cusp of one at the moment. The big problem for the Hittites and one they always struggled with is manpower. They just didn't have enough to sustain their empire.

 

[Gordon Doherty]

I like that alternate history. To counter though. The Sea People's will still happen. There is a cultural, climatic and economic transition happening in this period. History throws up these eras at times. I believe we are on the cusp of one at the moment. The big problem for the Hittites and one they always struggled with is manpower. They just didn't have enough to sustain their empire.

Sadly, I do too. I say sadly because - as evidenced by migrational periods in the past (The Sea Peoples, The Great Migration, the Indian independence migrations to name but a few) - we as a species seem incapable of dealing with such situations. To be fair, these kind of periods present such multi-faceted challenges that it is probably impossible to handle them 'perfectly'. We could certainly do a whole lot better though.

 

[BAYLOR]

I too have a bit of soft spot for Romans. If certain key events in their history had gone just a bit differently , Rome would have made it.

 

[svalbard]

Their system failed them in the end Baylor. Economics being one of the main issues. Also all empires end at some stage.