THE UNEXPECTED WORLD OF THE ODYSSEY.

  • Published In: Archaeology, 2026, v. 79, n. 3. P. 22 1 of 3

  • Database: Academic Search Ultimate 2 of 3

  • Authored By: WEISS, DANIEL; POWELL, ERIC A.; URBANUS, JASON; LEONARD, BENJAMIN; O'DONNELL, BEN 3 of 3

Abstract

The article explores the historical, archaeological, and cultural contexts behind Homer's epic poems, the Iliad and the Odyssey, which recount the Trojan War and its aftermath. It highlights evidence from Late Bronze Age Anatolia and Greece, including Hittite texts, burial sites, and ancient harbor remains, that suggest the epics incorporate elements of real historical conflicts and practices alongside myth. The piece also discusses the enduring influence of Homeric tales in antiquity, such as hero cults on Ithaca, artistic depictions like the Ketton Mosaic, and the development of ritual and literary traditions connected to the epics. Additionally, it addresses how the epics reflect early Greek attempts to understand natural phenomena and technology within a worldview blending divine and proto-scientific elements. [Extracted from the article]

Additional Information

  • Source:Archaeology. 2026/05, Vol. 79, Issue 3, p22
  • Document Type:Article
  • Subject Area:Literature and Writing
  • Publication Date:2026
  • ISSN:0003-8113
  • Accession Number:192327625
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