How accurate are Trojan War Movies and TV shows? Helen of Troy, Troy fall of a City and more

Summary

This video script explores the inaccuracies in depictions of the Trojan War in film and television, focusing on the historical errors in armor, helmets, and weaponry. It critiques the common use of later designs like Corinthian helmets and linothorax armor, which were not used during the Trojan War era. The script also highlights the importance of accuracy in historical films and emphasizes the need for more careful attention to details such as weapon color, shield types, and costumes. By providing historical context and examining popular portrayals, the script calls for more authentic representations of the ancient Greek world in modern media.

Takeaways

• 😀 Films often depict the Trojan War with armor and helmets from later periods, not the Mycenaean era (circa 1200 BC).
• 😀 The Corinthian helmet, a popular choice in movies, was not used during the Trojan War but was instead from the 8th century BC onward.
• 😀 The boar-tusk helmet was the most commonly used helmet during the Trojan War and should be portrayed in films for greater historical accuracy.
• 😀 Linothorax armor, often seen in Trojan War movies, is incorrect for the period and is more suited for the classical Greek era.
• 😀 There was significant variation in the armor worn by Greek warriors, with some utilizing bronze plate armor or leather-based protection.
• 😀 Shields used in films often inaccurately depict the figure-eight style, which was outdated by the time of the Trojan War; crescent-shaped shields would have been more accurate.
• 😀 Spears and swords should reflect the Bronze Age, with bronze fittings, rather than iron, which was not common during the Trojan War period.
• 😀 Clothing worn by characters like Helen is often oversimplified, but more elaborate and colorful garments would have been historically accurate for the era.
• 😀 The Mycenaean Greek civilization, evidenced by archaeological finds from Heinrich Schliemann and Arthur Evans, provides historical context for the Trojan War's story.
• 😀 The 2004 film *Troy* and other adaptations feature incorrect helmets and armor, which deviate from historical evidence but remain visually striking.
• 😀 While historical accuracy in films may be compromised for aesthetic reasons, using more appropriate armor and helmets would enhance the authenticity of portrayals of the Trojan War.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the video script?

The main focus of the video script is to discuss the inaccuracies in the depiction of the Trojan War in films and TV shows, specifically regarding the costumes, arms, and armor used by characters, and to suggest how future productions could improve historical accuracy.

Why do many depictions of the Trojan War in film have inaccurate costumes and armor?

Many depictions are inaccurate because the costumes and armor used in films are often drawn from later periods, such as the classical Greek or Hellenistic eras, rather than the actual Mycenaean period in which the Trojan War took place.

What was the most commonly used helmet during the Mycenaean period?

The most commonly used helmet during the Mycenaean period was the boar tusk helmet, which was made from leather straps with bands of boar tusks attached, and it was depicted in Mycenaean art.

Why is the Corinthian helmet often depicted in films about the Trojan War despite being inaccurate?

The Corinthian helmet is often depicted because it is one of the most iconic and recognizable helmets in ancient Greek armor, even though it was used centuries after the Trojan War, in the 8th century BC, long after the supposed time of the Trojan War.

What is the issue with the portrayal of Linothorax armor in films about the Trojan War?

Linothorax armor, which is often shown in films about the Trojan War, is historically inaccurate because it was a type of linen armor more commonly associated with classical Greece, long after the Trojan War period.

How does the armor in *Troy* (2004) differ from historical accuracy?

In *Troy* (2004), characters like Menelaus are depicted wearing a blend of inaccurate armor types, including a distorted version of the Corinthian helmet and Linothorax armor, which were not used during the Trojan War era.

What was the most common type of shield used by Mycenaean Greek soldiers?

The most common type of shield used by Mycenaean Greek soldiers was the figure-eight shield, although crescent-shaped shields would have been more common by the time of the Trojan War.

What types of materials were Mycenaean Greek shields typically made from?

Mycenaean Greek shields were typically made from perishable materials, such as wood, and covered with hide. Large bronze shields would have been rare and would likely have left archaeological remains if widely used.

What kind of armor did the common soldiers of the Mycenaean Greek army likely wear?

The common soldiers of the Mycenaean Greek army likely fought bare-chested, relying primarily on large shields for protection, while the nobility wore bronze plate armor, which was more expensive and cumbersome.

What is the significance of historical accuracy in film depictions of ancient Greece, according to the script?

According to the script, historical accuracy in film depictions of ancient Greece is important because it enhances the realism and depth of the story, making it more immersive and respectful of the actual history, which adds credibility to the narrative.