Bibliography included

Inevitably Homer’s account and the works of Heinrich Schliemann provoked so much controversy and interest that the adaptation of the text to film was destined to occur. In 2004 the infamous director Wolfgang Petersen, in the same mindset as Schliemann before, took Homer’s account and transitioned it onto the big screen in an attempt to create the events as a reality. In the least case if you were watching the film without any background knowledge about Troy and it’s mysterious roots, the events would seem realistic and believable. Petersen has made many omissions mainly of fantasy elements such as Gods, mythological creatures and Achilles immortality. It is a clear separation of the director’s judgement of fact and fiction, and this interpretation is evident in many scenes of the film. For example when the seer Calchas predicts the Trojans will win the war because he had seen an eagle holding a snake, Hector outbursts in rage demeaning Calchas’ dependency on superstition “You can’t base a war off bird science” and “The God’s will not fight this war for us”. In another incident where a child confronts Achilles questioning his immortality, Achilles replies saying “I wouldn’t be bothering with the shield then”. In both these cases it is made clear that Petersen’s purpose is to show that these events would have very likely occurred if you discern the facts from Greek religious/mythological influence.

To many it may have seemed that Schliemann was a Messiah of history as his finds sparked convincing arguments of what was believed to be a myth. However to the average historian Schliemann was just another madman caught up in his own little world. Although his discoveries possessed great significance and importance to historical study there are many reasons against his authenticity. We must first consider his personal state of mind. Schliemann was a grieving man in a personal depression and this text was his oxygen. It is believed he re-read the text many times and could recite dialogue from the text perfectly. The account had a major impact on his life it consumed his entire personality and lifestyle. This is evident when Schliemann took residence in Greece and named all his servants after mythological Greek figures. He existed as if he was in Ancient Greece. On the practical side the Mask of Agamemnon was dated too old to be that of the Trojan War and Priam’s treasure bears no link to the war itself and could represent any piece of wealth from Troy’s history. Schliemann’s sly behaviour towards the Turkish Government and his own self obsession should not be ignored when analysing his sanity. Apart from this Schliemann was not a credited nor licensed archaeologist he was just an individual on a mission.