Episode 55 - Troy Story: Heinrich Schliemann and the Power of Lying

This week, we play some of the Classics: a look at Troy, the Trojan War, and its discovery. Enter Heinrich Schliemann, the archaeologist (nope) who excavated the site of Hisarlik, in present-day Turkey, found evidence of the end of the Iliad (nope), went on to excavate other Homeric heroes (again, nope), and completely changed the game for public interest in archaeological research and the possibility that Homer was based on historical events (actually, this one is true). Come for Amber attempting to recite the Aeneid, stay for Anna throwing books in disgust.

To learn more, check out:

Schliemann of Troy: Treasure and Deceit

Ilios: the city and country of the Trojans; the results of researches and discoveries on the site of Troy and throughout the Troad in the years 1871, 72, 73, 78, 79. Including an autobiography of the author (via Archive.org)

You've Been Mispronouncing Don Juan, Just So You Know (Maison Neuve)

“So she went”: Heinrich Schliemann Came to Marion County for a “Copper Bottom Divorce” (Hoosier State Chronicles)

Heinrich Schliemann: Hero or Fraud? (The Classical World)

Heinrich Schliemann and the Discovery of Troy (Thought.co)

Photo credit: Heinrich Schliemann, from the University Library Heidelberg, licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International.