Part One: Heinrich Schliemann: The Archaeologist Who Destroyed Troy

This book presents a detailed documentary portrait of Heinrich Schliemann, the archaeologist associated with the excavations of Troy and Mycenae. Edited by Leo Deuel, it assembles Schliemann’s autobiographical writings, correspondence, and excavation reports to illuminate both his career and his personality.

Susan Heuck Allen reconstructs the search for ancient Troy and argues that Frank Calvert deserves far more credit than he has traditionally received. Drawing on archival sources, diaries, letters, and interviews, the book traces Calvert’s work at Hisarlik and his complex relationship with Heinrich Schliemann.

This book presents 500 short facts that guide young readers through world history from around 4000 BCE to the modern era. It is written for children ages 8 to 12 and uses concise, approachable language to make major historical events, people, and places easy to understand.

The Odyssey, attributed to Homer, is an ancient Greek epic poem that tells the story of Odysseus, king of Ithaca, and his ten-year journey home after the Trojan War. The poem explores Odysseus's encounters with various mythical creatures, divine interventions, and natural challenges. Upon his return to Ithaca, he must confront the suitors who have been vying for his wife Penelope's hand in marriage. With the help of his son Telemachus and the goddess Athena, Odysseus devises a plan to defeat the suitors and reclaim his throne. The poem is a reflection on human nature, loyalty, and the consequences of one's actions, and it remains a crucial component of ancient Greek literature and Western cultural heritage.

The Iliad is an epic poem attributed to Homer, set during the Trojan War. It begins in the ninth year of the war, where a quarrel between King Agamemnon and the warrior Achilles sets off a chain of events. The poem explores themes of heroism, honor, and fate as it describes the battles and interactions between Greek warriors like Achilles, Diomedes, and Odysseus, and Trojan warriors like Hector and Paris. The story is interspersed with divine interventions from Greek gods and goddesses, influencing the outcome of the war. The poem culminates with Achilles' reconciliation with Agamemnon and his subsequent rage against the Trojans, leading to the death of Hector and the eventual funeral rites for Patroclus and Hector.