E.H. Gombrich 'A Little History of The World' 7. Heroes and their Weapons'
TLDRThe seventh chapter of 'A Little History of the World' by E. H. Gombrich delves into the heroic tales of ancient Greece, highlighting the influence of Homeric poetry on the cultural imagination. It discusses the historical quest for the reality behind these myths, exemplified by the German businessman Heinrich Schliemann's archaeological discoveries at Troy and Mycenae. The chapter also explores the Mycenaean civilization's connection to the Minoan culture on Crete, the rise of the Greek city-states, and the subsequent spread of Greek influence through colonization and trade. It concludes with the Phoenicians' introduction of an alphabetic writing system to the Greeks, setting the stage for further cultural evolution.
Takeaways
- 📜 The script discusses the historical and mythological aspects of ancient Greece, particularly focusing on the Homeric epics and the discovery of historical evidence supporting these tales.
- 🎭 The Greek poet Homer is credited with composing the famous epics that have been passed down through generations, although it's suggested that these stories were not the work of a single poet.
- 🏺 A German businessman named Shimon (likely referring to Heinrich Schliemann) was inspired by Homer's works and went on to excavate sites like Troy and Mycenae, uncovering artifacts that corresponded with the descriptions in the epics.
- 🏰 The script mentions the discovery of palaces and tombs, including those at Mycenae, which were indicative of a sophisticated and wealthy civilization that valued artistry and craftsmanship.
- 🔍 Schliemann's findings, despite the lack of inscriptions initially, eventually helped to date the sites through the discovery of a ring with hieroglyphics naming an Egyptian king from around 1400 BC.
- 🌊 The people of ancient Greece were predominantly seafarers, engaging in trade and warfare, and were known for their courage and cunning as sea raiders.
- 🏙️ The Greek city-states were not a unified kingdom but a collection of small fortified cities, each with its own palace and king, reflecting a society that was open to new ideas and change.
- 📚 The script highlights the progression of history in this region due to the people's willingness to embrace change and the influence of foreign ideas, leading to rapid cultural and technological advancements.
- 🏝️ Crete is identified as a significant source of influence and innovation for the Greeks, with advanced palace structures and a unique artistic style that differed from the more rigid and formal art of Egypt and Babylon.
- 🧬 The script suggests a connection between the Mycenaean civilization and the later Greek tribes, with the newcomers adopting and incorporating the myths and cultural elements of the Mycenaeans into their own history.
- 🏛️ The Dorian and Ionian tribes are highlighted as key players in the establishment of notable Greek city-states such as Sparta and Athens, which later became central to Greek culture and history.
- ✍️ The Phoenicians are credited with introducing the Greeks to a form of writing, which the Greeks then adapted and developed further, contributing to the preservation and spread of their culture and knowledge.
Q & A
What is the significance of hexameters in Greek poetry?
-Hexameters are significant in Greek poetry as they were a verse form with six beats to each line, used by the poets of Greece to tell stories of warfare, gods, and heroes. The rhythm of hexameters suits the Greek language, although it may sound unnatural in English.
Why did the war between the Trojans and the Greeks occur?
-The war occurred when Paris, a Trojan, sided with Venus in a contest and awarded her the Apple of Gold. As a reward, Venus helped Paris to seize Helen, the wife of the Greek king Menelaus, which led to an army of Greeks laying siege to the city of Troy to regain her.
Who were some of the notable heroes in the Trojan War?
-Notable heroes in the Trojan War included Agamemnon, Nestor, Achilles, Ajax, and the sons of King Priam such as Paris and Hector.
What is the story of Odysseus after the Trojan War?
-After the Trojan War, Odysseus experienced many strange adventures during his return journey. Eventually, he returned to his homeland on miraculous ships, to his wife who had awaited him throughout his absence.
Who was the German businessman that sought to verify the historical accuracy of Homer's poems?
-The German businessman was Heinrich Schliemann, who, after reading Homer's works, was inspired to find the actual locations and artifacts described in the poems.
What did Schliemann discover during his excavations?
-Schliemann discovered palaces and tombs of kings, armor, shields, and other artifacts that matched the descriptions in Homer's songs. He also found Troy and confirmed it had been destroyed by fire.
How did the dating of the Mycenaean civilization become possible?
-The dating of the Mycenaean civilization became possible when a ring was found in Mycenae with the name of an Egyptian king inscribed in hieroglyphics, dating back to around 1400 BC.
What was the significance of the Minoan civilization in the context of Greek history?
-The Minoan civilization, based on the island of Crete, was significant because it was a remarkable culture that had built splendid royal palaces and had a unique art style. The Greeks likely learned a great deal from the Minoans, and their memory lived on even after their civilization declined.
What were the characteristics of the Greek tribes that arrived in Greece around 1200 BC?
-The Greek tribes that arrived around 1200 BC were not yet unified; they spoke different dialects and were led by different chieftains. They were warlike, brave, and were more focused on change and new ideas rather than preserving the ways of their ancestors.
How did the Phoenicians influence the Greeks?
-The Phoenicians influenced the Greeks by trading with them and teaching them their writing system using letters. The Greeks then adapted this system to create their own writing.
What was the relationship between the Ionians and Athens?
-The Ionians were a Greek tribe that settled in Attica, a peninsula north of the Peloponnese. They founded a city there, which they dedicated to the goddess Athena, and this city became known as Athens.
How did the stories of the ancient Mycenaean kings become part of Greek history?
-The stories of the ancient Mycenaean kings became part of Greek history as the newcomers, who were the Greeks, adopted and mixed these tales with their own battles and conquests, eventually incorporating them into their own historical narratives.
Outlines
📜 Homeric Epics and Their Historical Context
This paragraph delves into the historical significance of the Homeric epics, which include tales of warfare and heroes from ancient Greece. It discusses how these stories, originally chanted in hexameters, were later attributed to a single poet named Homer. The narrative highlights the Trojan War, the quest of Paris and Helen, and the siege of Troy, as well as the adventures of Odysseus. The paragraph also touches upon the efforts of a German businessman, Shimon, who sought to verify the historical accuracy of Homer's descriptions. His excavations in Greece and Troy revealed artifacts and structures that corroborated the Homeric tales, although no inscriptions were found to date the sites. The text also explores the Mycenaean civilization, its connection to the Homeric poems, and the evolution of Greek society and culture.
🏰 The Minoan Civilization and Greek City-States
The second paragraph shifts the focus to the Minoan civilization on the island of Crete, which was known for its advanced palaces and artistic achievements. It recounts the story of the Minotaur and the labyrinth, suggesting a possible historical basis for these myths. The text describes how Crete's influence extended to the Greek city-states, which adopted many of their cultural and architectural practices. The paragraph also discusses the arrival of new tribes, possibly related to the original inhabitants of Messina, who displaced the Cretan kings around 1200 BC. This led to the rise and fall of various city-states, each with its own king and fortified city. The narrative highlights the seafaring nature of the Greeks, their propensity for trade and warfare, and the constant evolution of their society, which embraced change and progress.
🚢 The Greek Colonization and Phoenician Influence
The final paragraph discusses the Greek expansion through colonization, as they established outposts and cities across the sea, influenced by the Phoenicians' maritime and trading prowess. It mentions the Phoenicians' writing system, which was adopted and adapted by the Greeks. The text concludes by emphasizing the significance of these historical developments in shaping the cultural and linguistic identity of the Greeks, who were not yet a unified people when they first arrived in Greece. The narrative underscores the transformation of various tribes into a distinct Greek culture, marked by their shared myths, songs, and eventually, a common language and writing system.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Hexameters
💡Troy
💡Agamemnon
💡Odysseus
💡Schliemann
💡Mycenae
💡Crete
💡Doric, Ionic, and Aeolic
💡
💡Phoenicians
💡Athens
💡Colonies
Highlights
Greek poets used a rhythmic pattern called hexameters in their verses, which had six beats to each line.
The story of the Trojan War, involving Paris, Helen, and the Greeks, was a popular theme in Greek poetry.
The war between the Greeks and Trojans lasted for ten years before the city of Troy was conquered.
Odysseus' adventures after the Trojan War, including his return to his homeland, are legendary tales.
Homer, believed to be the composer of the famous Greek epics, may not have been a single poet but a tradition of storytelling.
Shimon, a German businessman, was inspired by Homer's works and sought to find the historical truth behind the stories.
Schliemann's archaeological discoveries in Greece and Troy confirmed the existence of the cities and artifacts described by Homer.
The lack of inscriptions in the discovered tombs and palaces initially made it difficult to date the sites.
A ring found in Mycenae with the name of an Egyptian king helped date the sites to around 1400 BC.
The people of Greece were a collection of small fortified cities, each with its own king and palace, rather than a unified kingdom.
The Greeks were seafarers and warriors, often engaging in battles and raids, which set them apart from their neighbors.
The civilization on the island of Crete was advanced, with grand palaces and a unique art style, predating the Mycenaean civilization.
The story of the Minotaur and the labyrinth may have some basis in the history and culture of Crete.
The Mycenaean civilization declined around 1200 BC, likely due to invasions by new tribes from the north.
The Greeks who arrived in Greece around 800 BC were not yet a unified people but a collection of tribes with different dialects and leaders.
The Dorians founded the city of Sparta, while the Ionians settled in Attica and founded Athens.
The Athenians were great seafarers who established colonies and learned the Phoenician alphabet, adapting it for their own use.
Transcripts
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