Any science is based on the analysis of evidence regarding diverse phenomena, individuals, or events. Historians try to unveil the secrets of the past by extracting information from different types of sources, including specific objects, documents, pictures, people’s accounts, and even literary works. Although the literature is associated with fictional plots and is seen as an unreliable witness, fiction can provide insights into many historical areas. For instance, The Iliad is one of the major literary works of western culture that also has a historical value. It is critical to pay attention to the time when any artwork was created as well as the associated context to understand its relevance. Little is known about the exact circumstances related to the creation of the poem under analysis, but it is believed that the piece was written circa 725-675 B. C. As a primary source, the epic poem sheds light on such aspects of Ancient Greeks’ life in such aspects like the social order, technology, and the major values forming society.
As far as the political order is concerned, The Iliad describes the relationships between people pertaining to different groups, as well as the status of different cities. The poet shows that Achaeans (the inhabitants of Ancient Greek cities) had certain elites that ruled in their territories but often united to address some goals. It also becomes clear that people obeyed certain rules and had particular rights based on their status (Homer, 2001). Achilles is enraged when Agamemnon tries to take his war prize from him, or in Achilles’s words, when “one man attempts to plunder a man his equal” (Homer, 2001, p. 414). Based on the poem, it can be assumed that Ancient Greeks had a hierarchical society where people exercise different rights. Gods had a similar hierarchy with equal guided by one leader Zeus. For example, Poseidon opposes other gods in the conflict between Troy and Athens and exclaims that even Zeus cannot force him to obey as they are “equal in rank” (Homer, 2001, p. 394). Homer described the social order of his society that did not differ from the traditions that had existed before his birth.
Literary works are also instrumental in identifying the peculiarities of the technological development of human communities and the tools that are generally used. The Iliad describes the peculiarities of the society of the late Bronze and early Iron Age. Iron is sometimes presented as a valuable material and, in other instances, is shown as a common type of metal. These cases suggest that the work had been created centuries before it was written so people added things that were becoming more widely utilized. Adrestus, trying to buy his life says, “Treasures are piled up in my rich father’s house, / bronze and gold and plenty of well-wrought iron” (Homer, 2001, p. 197). In another part of the epic, soldiers use iron knives to slaughter animals for meals, which shows that the material was not as valuable as it used to be (Homer, 2001, p. 561). The focus of the literary work in question is on the military conflict between two city-states. Therefore, historians can learn a lot from the text, and they can understand some peculiarities of wars and technology used in the ancient world.
Apart from specific items and objects, historians are also interested in the values that built the societies of the past. Literary works can be seen as some of the most conspicuous illustrations of this aspect, as literature mirrors norms that exist or existed at a certain point in time. The Iliad highlights Ancient Greek leaders’ focus on the accumulation of wealth and the need to be glorified. It was a norm to haunt “the meeting grounds / where men win glory” or go to war to be glorified (Homer, 2001, p. 94). Family values are also made explicit as Ancient Greeks cherished their family bonds. Although society was evolving and the population was increasing during the Bronze Age, tribal principles were still strong. Hector and King Priam protect Paris, Menelaus is supported by Agamemnon. Moreover, relatives are responsible for the behavior and deeds of their family members, which is clearly described in the conflict. The description of social norms can be seen as a reliable source of evidence for historians, even though it may be hard to identify the exact dates or places.
In conclusion, it is possible to note that such epic poems as The Iliad can serve as a valuable piece of evidence for historians, but they should be used with caution. The literary work reflects the basic features of the ancient society, including the ways they made war and peace, the way they traded, and the way they interacted. However, the date of the creation of this epic can hardly be identified, and researchers are still unclear about the authorship of the piece. Therefore, the literary work can be utilized as a supplementary source that provides details concerning people’s lives. The poem also shows some values and objectives people established, which provides insights into the way humans evolved throughout the centuries. Hence, it is clear that the source is a valuable source of supplementary information to get a more comprehensive picture of what is known based on other artifacts.
Reference
Homer. (2001). The Iliad (R. Fagles, Trans.). Penguin Classics. (Original work published ca. 725-675 BCE).