Mycenaean Greece Comes to Life
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1985 must have been a good year for those interested in the Bronze Age Aegean. Early in the year Michael Wood produced his seminal television production 'In Search of the Trojan War' for the BBC, and Peter Connolly produced this 'Times Educational' award winning book. No doubt it was a year that kick started many people's interest in the Mycenaean World.
Peter Connolly presents to us this shortened version of Homer's Illiad and the Odyssey. Aimed at children, but also useful for adults, the book covers the journey of Odysseus, as he fights in the Trojan War, gets lost at sea, and ends up getting into all sorts of adventures, whether it is coming face to face with the dreadful Cyclops, his run in with the Scylla, or his final battle against his wife's suitors.
Each section of the story is decorated with Connolly's first rate illustrations. The book was unique at the time, as it was the only book on Homer's works that had ever displayed the characters wearing the proper costumes and carrying the proper weapons of a Bronze Age Greek Warrior. Connolly has spent many years studying the archaeological remains for this period, and here he reconstructs it all for the reader, with plenty of sections that explain the 'historical' background.
These sections include a look at the body armour and weapons of the warriors, religion and burial rites, ships, the citadel at Mycenae, the excavations at Troy, Nestor's palace at Pylos, men and women's costume, dating and domestic life, and a look at Ithaca. Each of these sections are filled with photographs and maps, so that you can learn about the reality of life in Bronze Age Greece as you read the story.
If you ever want a great introduction to Mycenaean Greece, then this book should be at the top of your list. It might be outdated in some ways, but it might whet your appetite for more information on this fascinating period of (pre) history.
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Good illustrations but lacking in detail
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Peter Connolly retells two of the most epic stories of mankind, the struggle for Troy and Odysseus way home. The well known stories are illustrated in the superb manner known from Connollys previous books bringing bronze age Greece back to life. All in all the illustrations give a fine picture of what bronze age dress, weaponry and architecture looked like although there are several mistakes concerning the dating of the actual archeological finds the reconstructions are based on.
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