Archaeology and Heinrich Schliemann 2012

Homer, Mycenae and Troy: Problems and Aspects 359the poet of the Iliad divides the descriptions of thebattles into a series of mass combat scenes, such aswere known only in the Geometric Age, interspersedwith exemplary examples of single combat.From the private sphere, only a few remnants ofMycenaean utensils are found: Athena’s singulargolden lamp stands next to the conventional torchlights. But R. Pfeiffer’s proof that Athena’s golden oillamp is closely connected with the myth of the Mycenaeangoddess of the Acropolis turns Athena’s χρύσεοςλύχνος into a Mycenaean reminiscence.1 9We are left with a splendid specimen, the Nestorcupwith doves sitting on the handles. This type ofcup is well-known from one of the older shaft gravesin Mycenae: a delicate small golden cup, about 15 cmhigh, as well as earthenware of the same type. In theIliad, this changed into a huge vessel which, whenfilled, could be lifted by nobody but Nestor. 20 As inthe case with other recollections, the identification isdoubted. But a lack of conformity in detail is quiteunderstandable: if the description of an object was tosurvive as an epic formula, then it is quite naturalthat it was influenced by modifications during theoral tradition. This may be how a Mycenaean cupturned into the Homeric tankard.Buildings in the Iliad and the OdysseyIn our context the descriptions of the buildings ofthe Iliad and the Odyssey have not yet been sufficientlyexplored; they are more important in theOdyssey, which is understandable given the subjectmatter. Comparing these descriptions, formula versesare encountered that pass on traditional ideas. Theselead to the typical elements of the Homeric house.Finally it may be asked if the resulting picture israther of Mycenaean origin or should be deducedfrom Geometric architecture.The description of Ilion remains strangely vague.Apart from the numerous mentions of the town walland its towers, it is not until Hector’s visit to the cityin book VI that more details are revealed. Athena isthe city-goddess and has a νηός (temple). 21 A formuladescribes a treasure vault in the basement of Priam’spalace: αéτc δ’ âς θάλαµον κατεβήσετο κηώεντα (“shedescended into the vaulted basement”). This formulaverse is similarly found in the Odyssey. Consequently,the palaces of Ulysses and Menelaus have also abasement. 22In Phoenix’s long narration of in the eleventhsong of the Iliad, we are told what belongs to a suitablepalace. Phoenix describes the palace of his fatherAmyntor and of Meleagros: a court surrounded bywalls, together with a porch, a vestibule and a mainhall. 23 The sleeping place for guests is the hall or thevestibule, 24 but the master of the house sleeps insidethe house, as is the case at Achilles’ hut and Calypso’sgrotto. 25 However, with a slight variation the formulacan also indicate the special sleeping quarters of themaster of the house in a palace: ΚαθεÜδε µυχˇ΅ δόµου•ψηλοÖο (“he slept in a corner of the high chamber”). 26Another formula shows us that the mansion in theIliad had an upper floor reserved for the women. Inthe second song of the Iliad, Astyoche meets Ares•περώιον ε¨σαναβÄσα (“mounting to the upper floor”)for the Hieros Gamos and in book XVI of the IliadHermes ε¨ς •περˇ ˇ΅’ àναβάς also visits Polymele on theupper floor for the holy wedding. 27 This formulaoccurs eight times in the Odyssey, always regardingPenelope, whose chamber is on the upper floor. 28 Thisformula competes with another one which is restrictedto the Odyssey and Penelope: κλίµακα δ’ •ψηλcνκατεβήσετο οxο δόµοιο (“she went up the high stairs toher chamber”); 29 κλÖµαξ (stairs) occurs a third time atthe palace of Circe, which is also described as twostoreyed. Instead of descending the stairs, Elpenorjumps drunkenly from the roof and breaks his neck. 30Thus it is obvious that upper floor, basement and theseparate sleeping place for the master of the house areusual for the Homeric palace.The palaces in Troy, Pylos, Sparta, and Aiaia areconsequently complex buildings surrounding a megaronand consisting of basement, first floor andupper floor with adjoining rooms. All of these houses19. 19.34; Heubeck 1988, 127, 173.20. XI.632-635; Heubeck 1988, 171-173.21. VI.279, 297. A temple of Apollo is mentioned in V.446, 512;VII.83.22. VI.288; XXIV.191; 15.99, cf. 2.337.23. IX.471-477, 573-589.24. IX.660; XXIV.673; XXIV.644; 3.399; 4.297; 7.336.25. IX.663; XXIV.675; 5.226.26. 3.402; 4.304; 7.346.27. II.514; XVI.184.28. 1.362; 2.358; 4.751, 760; 17.49; 19.602; 21.356; 23.364.29. 1.330; 21.5.30. 10.558.