From Hittite to Homer

In this groundbreaking reassessment of the prehistory of Homeric epic, this book argues that in the Early Iron Age, bilingual poets transmitted a set of narrative traditions to the Greeks that were closely related to those found at Bronze-Age Hattusa, the Hittite capital. The key drivers for Near Eastern influence on the developing Homeric tradition were the shared practices of supralocal festivals and the veneration of divinized ancestors. There was also a shared interest in creating narratives about a legendary past, focusing on specific storylines such as theogonies, genealogies connecting local polities, long-distance travel, the destruction of a famous city due to its refusal to release captives, and the attempt to overcome death in response to the loss of a dear companion.

Professor Bachvarova concludes by offering a fresh explanation of the origins and significance of the Greco-Anatolian legend of Troy. This new perspective provides a novel solution to the long-debated question of the historicity of the Trojan War. Through her research and analysis, she sheds light on the interconnectedness of ancient Greek and Near Eastern cultures, highlighting the ways in which they influenced each other's storytelling traditions.

By revisiting these ancient narratives and traditions, the book offers readers a deeper understanding of the cultural exchanges and cross-pollination that occurred between different civilizations in the ancient Mediterranean world. It challenges traditional views of the development of Homeric epic and opens up new avenues for exploring the interconnectedness of early Greek and Near Eastern cultures. This reassessment invites readers to reconsider the origins of some of the most enduring stories in Western literature and to appreciate the rich tapestry of influences that have shaped our understanding of the past.

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