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The discoveries of Troy and Mycenaean Greece in the 19th century led to a shift in attitudes toward Ancient Greek legends. If archaeology showed that Troy had existed, was it possible that the Trojan War saga had its basis in historical fact? In this episode, Scott Emmons sifts through clues from the Homeric epics, excavations at Troy, and ancient Hittite documents to explore a question that has fascinated both scholars and amateurs for generations.

For photos and other commentary, check out Episode 5 at epicgreekhistory.substack.com

Reading suggestions:

The Trojan War: A Very Short Introduction by Eric Cline (2013)
Troy and Homer: Towards a Solution of an Old Mystery by Joachim Latacz (2004)
From Hittite to Homer by Mary Bachvarova (2016)
Singer of Tales by Albert Lord (1960)

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The decipherment of the Linear B tablets from Knossos and Pylos revolutionized our understanding of the Mycenaean world. But how did a small group of dedicated Greek scholars arrive at the solution? This episode recounts the painstaking process that ultimately led to the paradigm-shifting conclusion that Linear B was an early form of Greek.

For samples of the writing system and a link to an interactive site where you can try your hand at constructing words in Linear B characters, check out Episode 4 at epicgreekhistory.substack.com

Reading Suggestions:

The Decipherment of Linear B by John Chadwick (1958 and later editions)

The Riddle of the Labyrinth: The Quest to Crack an Ancient Code by Margalit Fox (2013)

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Centuries before the Parthenon, Greek drama, and the Olympic Games, a highly developed Bronze Age culture evolved in Greece. This was the Mycenaean civilization, where warrior kings ruled from great palaces that dominated the surrounding territories. But the Mycenaeans drew heavily from the early Minoan culture on the island of Crete. In this episode you'll learn about the legendary excavation of the Minoan palace at Knossos, the powerful influence of Minoan culture in the Aegean, and how the Mycenaean Greeks became the dominant power while continuing to follow Minoan cultural models.

For photos and reading suggestions, go to Episode 3 at epicgreekhistory.substack.com

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Every now and then, the story of a discovery is as compelling as the thing discovered. One such story is the discovery of Bronze Age Troy and Mycenae by an eccentric German businessman turned archaeologist named Heinrich Schliemann. At a time when most scholars thought the Homeric epics were nothing more than myth and legend, Schliemann proved that they looked back on an age of great palaces and powerful warrior kings. This episode follows Schliemann from his humble beginnings to his fame as an accomplished (though not always entirely trustworthy) archaeologist.

See the Substack companion to this episode at epicgreekhistory.substack.com

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Welcome to the first episode of Epic Greek History! In this introduction, amateur historian Scott Emmons lays out his vision for this podcast. Taking inspiration from two of his favorite history podcasts, he'll focus on the human experience in a way that he hopes will bring ancient Greece to life. His guiding principle will be a short quote by historian Neville Morley: "History is a kind of story."

See the Substack companion to this podcast at epicgreekhistory.substack.com

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