We visited this special exhibition that examined the stories and evidence for Troy. We saw burnt jugs that were probably from the great city and saw a bust of Homer, the person credited with writing down the ancient poems.
HB was particularly impressed by the ancient copies of 'Homer's' story written on papyrus. There was also a bowl which may show a very early picture of the story from about 735BC.
The story began at a wedding, where the goddess of discord threw a golden apple for whoever was the most beautiful. Paris was asked to judge which goddess won the apple. He picked Aphrodite, who rewarded him with the love of the most beautiful woman in the world.
HB then explored different artistic interpretations of Helen and Paris meeting, and Helen leaving with Paris. Was it down to the Gods meddling? Was she captured or did she leave of her own free will? many of the objects were Greek, but there were also many Roman interpretations.
Next came stories of prophecy, murder, sacrifice, and games.
Achielles refuses to fight, his friend dies, he fights Paris, and then he fights Hector and dies.
Odysseus comes up with the Trojan horse ploy and the city is sacked.
The exhibition then moved onto the Odyssey part of the story, with Odysseus escaping the sirens.
Odysseus blinds the cyclops, hides under sheep, escapes an enchantress on a raft, and eventually returns home to win back his wife.
The final part of the exhibition explored renaissance and modern artistic interpretations of the story.
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