DID THE GREEKS AND THE TROJANS USE CHARIOT WARFARE?

Chariot warfare is described in great detail in the Iliad. According to Homer both Greeks and Trojans employed chariot warfare tactics. Some researchers have commented, however, that Homer does not know what he is talking about when he has these armies running around doing battle in this way. Is Homer lying?

WHO WERE THE GREEKS AND WHERE DID THEY COME FROM?

At the time of the Trojan War the Greeks were known by their tribal names. Homer calls them Achaeans, Danaans, and Argives. No-one, however, actually knows where they came from. Some commentators speculate that they came from the north, perhaps even north of the Alps.

WHO WERE THE TROJANS AND WHERE DID THEY GO?

It is not known who the Trojans really were, or what happened to them after the Trojan War. Incredibly, they seem to have disappeared from the face of the earth!

WHERE DID ALL THE METALS COME FROM?

In the Iliad we are told about the various metals that were being used at the time of the Trojan War. These included gold, silver, iron, tin and bronze (an alloy of copper and tin). Many of the combatants in the war wore bronze armour and Homer describes the battles that ensued in order to strip the armour from the fallen heroes. He also tells us about the exquisite works of craftsmen in all of these metals, as well as the quoits of iron that were the most highly prized of all. In reality, these metals were not available together in the Aegean world so where did they come from? It is a conundrum that continues to confound researchers up to the present day.

WHAT HAPPENED TO THE ACHAEAN WALL?

Homer describes in great detail the massive wall and ditch that was built to protect the Greek ships. The ditch was so wide that horses could not jump it. There was a carriageway between the wall and the ditch that was wide enough for chariots to drive along but not for chariot warfare. There was one main causeway from the plain leading straight across the ditch to the main gates. The wall was covered in stone and huge battlements were constructed along the entire length. The wall and ditch was so long that it took 700 men to guard it. Why is it that this enormous structure has never been located, or any of its remains found?