In Search of the Trojan War

In Search of the Trojan War was a thought-provoking six-part television series produced by the BBC and aired in 1985. The fascinating series was written and presented by the remarkable historian, Michael Wood, who is also known as a dynamic presenter of twelve BBC television series over the years. The series was later adapted into a book, which adds more depth and detail to the concepts and theories presented in the visually stunning episodes on the small screen.

The primary subject of the series is the mythical Trojan War, the origin of which, according to ancient Greek stories, was situated in the late Bronze Age. Through this perspective, the series gracefully navigates the complex landscape of mythology, archaeology, history, and geopolitics to present an estimated chronology of events that might have led to the legendary war, providing viewers with an interesting juxtaposition between fact and fiction.

In Search of the Trojan War explores how embellished tales and poetry, such as in Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey, cross paths with the realities and facts unearthed by archaeological findings and scholarly research. As such, Michael Wood carries viewers on a systematic quest that stretches the timeline from the 13th and 12th centuries BC, when the ancient city of Troy was at an apex of its civilization, through the Dark Ages until the Classical and Hellenistic periods of Ancient Greece.

The series also meticulously explores the vast world beyond Troy, by drawing upon evidence from the civilizations of the Hittites in western Asia, the Egyptians under the reign of Ramses the Great, the Mycenaeans in Greece, and the Sea Peoples, who were speculated impactors of the Bronze Age collapse. This helps to place Troy and the potential events surrounding the Trojan War in a broader historical and geopolitical context.

In Search of the Trojan War is vividly filmed in various locations around Europe and Turkey, where Michael Wood’s journey takes him from Greece to Anatolia. The series travels through some of the most beautiful and historically important locations, including the fascinating ruins at Mycenae home to the throne of Agamemnon, the presumed initiator of the Trojan War. The storytelling is enriched with on-site sequences, where Michael Wood digs through the ground, touches precious artifacts, or explores ancient courtyards and walls, thus visually bridging the gap between the past and the present.

Each episode of this captivating series has a specific thematic focus, providing substance and depth to the ancient histories it relates. Moreover, the inclusion of computer graphics, vivid recreations, and modern audio-visual techniques typical of the mid-80s add an entrancingly dramatic touch to the presentation.

An additional strength of the series is its sound academic grounding, combining cross-disciplinary research and theories from a range of experts in fields such as archaeology, classical studies, linguistics, and history. Archaeologists like Manfred Korfmann and world-renowned specialists like Professor JP Barron contributed significantly to the research and findings presented in the show, providing the academic integrity so intrinsic to the series.

In Search of the Trojan War does not merely recount the possible historical events leading up to the legendary war, but it delves even further into the subsequent influence and echoes of this mysterious conflict through subsequent centuries and its significance to Western civilisation. The series expertly navigates the rift between myth and history, bringing to light the possible realities that may have inspired the epic poetry and tales that continue to pervade our collective cultural memory.

In essence, In Search of the Trojan War poses the thought-provoking question: How much of what we consider history is fact, and how much of it is fiction spun into enduring mythoylogies? The lasting appeal of this series lies in its ability to provide valuable historical and archaeological insights while allowing viewers to ponder the mysteries that lie just beneath the surface. It is an essential watch, not only for history buffs, but also for anyone interested in the roots of Western civilization and the story of our collective human past as narrated through the tales of a long lost city called Troy.