From Hittite to Homer

Abstract

This book provides a groundbreaking reassessment of the prehistory of Homeric epic. It argues that in the Early Iron Age bilingual poets transmitted to the Greeks a set of narrative traditions closely related to the one found at Bronze-Age Hattusa, the Hittite capital. Key drivers for Near Eastern influence on the developing Homeric tradition were the shared practices of supralocal festivals and venerating divinized ancestors, and a shared interest in creating narratives about a legendary past using a few specific storylines: theogonies, genealogies connecting local polities, long-distance travel, destruction of a famous city because it refuses to release captives, and trying to overcome death when confronted with the loss of a dear companion. Professor Bachvarova concludes by providing a fresh explanation of the origins and significance of the Greco-Anatolian legend of Troy, thereby offering a new solution to the long-debated question of the historicity of the Trojan War.

ONGILGAMESHAND HOMER: ISHTAR, APHRODITE AND THE MEANING OF A PARALLEL

“…100 It is not easy to say just how far back in time this should be traced, but the early Iron Age is likely to have been the crucial period. The richest model to date is offered by Bachvarova (2016), especially 199-348, who sees lines of cultural transmission as fostered by elites, especially in ritual contexts. In the case of parallels involving Aphrodite, early Iron Age Cyprus is reasonably thought to be a central node: e.g.…”

“…In the case of parallels involving Aphrodite, early Iron Age Cyprus is reasonably thought to be a central node: e.g. Burkert (n. 6, 1984), 95, Cassio (n. 5), Bachvarova (2016), 300-30.…”

“…See also C. Penglase, Greek Myths and Mesopotamia (London, 1994), 3, Ø. Andersen, 'Diomedes, Aphrodite, and Dione: background and function of a scene in Homer's Iliad', C&M 48 (1997), 25-36, West (1997), 362, B. Breitenberger, Aphrodite and Eros (London, 2007), 16-20, A.C. Cassio, 'Kypris, Kythereia, and the fifth book of the Iliad', in Montanari, Rengakos and Tsagalis (n. 4), 413-26, at 420-1, B. Currie, 'The Iliad, Gilgamesh, and Neoanalysis', ibid., 543-80, at 563, id. (2016), 173-8 and 193-8 (the most detailed discussion after Burkert), E. Allen-Hornblower, 'Gods in pain: walking the line between divine and mortal in Iliad 5', Lexis 32 (2014), 27-58, at 35 n. 45, Bachvarova (2016), 325-7, and Clarke (n. 3), 193-5, 330-1.…”

Hi̇ti̇t Meti̇nleri̇nde Akad Çaği İle İlgi̇li̇ Kayitlar

“…[50][51] Tukriš kralını (bir) posta sardım. [52][53] Hutura(lılar)'ın bibin(n)u'ları başlarına koydum. [53][54][55] Alašia'yı bir kadın gibi başlarına örttüm.…”

“…[52][53] Hutura(lılar)'ın bibin(n)u'ları başlarına koydum. [53][54][55] Alašia'yı bir kadın gibi başlarına örttüm. [55][56][57] Amurrular'ın (sanki) onların babası gibi………… [57][58][59] Kilarlılar'ın başlarını bir sırımla bağladım.…”