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The life of Heinrich Schliemann embodies the era of scientific discovery in the late eighteen hundreds. His is a tale of success, and that of man turned to myth. From a meager upbringing, he achieved success in business, and went on to make some of the most impacting archeological discoveries in the nineteenth century. Though copious amounts have been written on Schliemann, the accounts differ greatly, varying from hero to charlatan. From Schliemann's biographers, it remains difficult to glean an accurate perception of him; in many cases, legend is incorporated as fact, thus the man envisioned as Schliemann is the fusion of myth and reality. Regardless of whether one defines Schliemann as a genius after intellectual pursuits or a mere gold-digger, he remains a man that intrigues or induces curiosity.
His story is "inextricably bound up with the beginnings of archaeology as a science" (Wood, 50) It is widely believed that from Schliemann's youth, he was inspired by the writing of Homer, and determined to find and excavate Troy in order to prove the truth of its existence. Accounts vary on this theme, but commonly, this is considered true. Schliemann based his business ventures and wealth on his lifelong scholarly pursuits. Deviants to this notion, however, believe that Schliemann concocted the accounts of a lifelong obsession for the epic poems and all things Greek late in life in order to cover up the fact that he was merely in search of fame and fortune. As Wood writes in In Search of the Trojan War, "today it is customary to deride Schliemann's archaeological technique as well as his character" (Wood, 51).
Schliemann is considered by some as a brilliant, self-taught man who climbed the ranks to achieve success, whose quick mind, wit and excitability lent themselves to create a most fascinating man. Some historians maintain that Schliemann was passionate about Greek culture from his youth, immersing himself in it, even to the point of marrying a young Greek woman solely for her cultural roots. Legend has it that he held a contest in order to find the most eloquent reading of Homer's Iliad, however it is also said that a friend arranged the marriage. Schliemann's wife, Sophia (Figure 2), became an integral part of his life, contributing a great deal to his research and excavations.
Schliemann's seemed determined to bring to life the ancient lore of Greek tradition. Skeptics discount his true rapture for Greece, questioning whether he acquired his "lifelong" passion for Greek culture later in life, and instead focus upon the unearthing of treasure as his solitary pursuit. (Poole, 20) Schliemann was generally classified as a romantic, but beyond that, seemed determined to gain intellectual recognition. It is widely accepted that though renowned for being obstinate, he continually bowed to intellectual authority, which perhaps may be attributed to the fact that he lacked formal education. Lacking formal academic credentials proved to be a hurdle throughout Schliemann's life, and only in his later days was he recognized as having scholastic merit. In this respect, many of his finds remain controversial, due in part to questions of his character and his academic background. Schliemann is credited with the excavation and discovery of Troy, though many were involved in the process.
As the story goes, Schliemann at first sight instinctively knew that Hissarlik (Figure 3), located in modern-day Turkey, was the exact spot of the ancient city. Again, accounts differ, claiming that others had pinpointed the location prior to Schliemann's encounter. It is well documented, though, that Schliemann pursued and funded the excavation, unearthing one of the most amazing finds of his century. Schliemann excavated the "Temple of Athena" (Figure 4), and countless other historically significant architectural and artistic finds, through which he was able to deduce that Hissarlik was the site of ancient Troy. The cities discovered beneath the mound of Hissarlik contributed to modern day fascination with archaeology and to much that is known about early ancient times. Schliemann did not merely fund the excavation at Hissarlik; he was an active participant.
Through his persistence and archaeological guidance, permits were granted, and ancient cities unearthed. Much has been said regarding his archaeological cognizance. In many accounts, he is berated for destruction. Schliemann may not have approached the excavation in a scientific manner, but considering the time in which he was working, the science was not widely established, thus a textbook code of archaeological principals did not exist. Observed by a later archaeologist, "he approached the hill like a child trying to find out what makes a clock work and in the process dismantles and ruins its mechanism" (Deuel, 15). It is also said that Schliemann applied his tactics as a commodities trader to archaeology, "haphazard and reckless" (Deuel, 5).
Schliemann dug trenches straight through to the bottom layers of the mound at Hissarlik, in the process, bypassing cities that were later recognized as having historic significance. In fact, digging so far in his zeal for the earliest period, Schliemann missed the city generally accepted as Troy today. Later in his excavations, Schliemann acquired the help of notable scientists, and his work became more of a scientific effort, and thus became recognized not only for its grandeur, but its historical basis. Schliemann may have claimed credit for much of the academic work, but it is widely known that many great academic minds of the time contributed.
It is to Schliemann's advantage that he consulted the help of others; it added depth to his work, and aided in his eventual long pursued recognition in academia. Academic and worldwide praise for his finds did not come easily. In the process, Schliemann managed to infuriate the Turkish government by violating prior agreements regarding the rights to archaeological finds. Perhaps lending in interpretation of his character is the fact that he smuggled out a great deal of the historical treasures found at Hissarlik, including the "Treasure of Priam" (Figure 5), consisting of thousands of gold objects, most in the form of ancient jewelry. Some claim that he did it for the good of Greece, in order to display the treasures in a museum there. Either way, his relationship with the Turkish government was forever scarred, and general distrust for him was universally established.
Schliemann's ties with the excavation of Troy spanned over 20 years, throughout most of his later life. Schliemann wrote profusely, and much of his work still exists. Some feel that he weaves fact and fiction throughout his journals, making the works difficult to accept as actual scientific records. Many of his recorded theories, especially the earliest, are regarded as quite questionable and the work of a romantic. He later allowed for modifications of his deductions, and increasingly allowed for academic interpretations and postulations.
His image later in life seems less jaded by negative perceptions of his archeological work and character, and instead recognized for his contribution to society. Emil Ludwig wrote of Schliemann, "he was an outstanding example of my repeated contention that the enlightened amateur beats the solid expert every time" (Deuel, 13). Schliemann's success at Hissarlik is attributed to pure beginner's luck by some, and by others the well thought out work of a genius. All being said, the truth most likely lies somewhere between the two and it is quite recognizable that an accomplishment such as this requires steadfast determination. Even Schliemann's critics will point out that he was an energetic, resolute man, and that quite possibly "Troy would have lay hidden in the earth had not imagination guided the spade" (Wood, 51). Schliemann went on to uncover ruins at Mycenae and Orchomenos, and continued to gain further intellectual notoriety for his finds.
The same questions of his character and his motives followed him to his death, and remain today. Much of Schliemann's life remains unclear, but what is known is that he diligently pursued archaeology until his death, and though arguably he was lacking in scientific technique, he contributed a great deal to establishing archaeology as it exists today. Further excavation in later years has unveiled evidence supporting his theories of Troy's existence. As Deuel writes, "a loner of phenomenal will power, fierce independence and vast ambition, [Schliemann] braved the guild of experts and doggedly upheld his heterodox ideas until he saw them triumph spectacularly" (Deuel, 17). The absolute truth likely will never be known, but tied within the web of tales about him lies the story of a most unique and fascinating man who cemented his own place in history.
Schliemann, in turn, is both man and myth, interwoven with the Homeric tales he fought to establish as truth. Works cited: Deuel, Leo. Memoirs of Heinrich Schliemann. New York: Harper & Row, 1977. Poole, Gray and Poole, Lynne. One Passion, Two Loves: The Schliemann's of Troy.
London: Victor Gollancz Ltd, 1967. Wood, Michael. In Search of the Trojan War. New York: Facts on File, 1985.
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