Homer’s Iliad is often considered one of the greatest works of Western literature. For many centuries, Homer’s Troy, the city besieged by the Greeks, was thought to be a myth. During the 19th century, however, one man embarked on a quest to prove that this legendary city actually existed. This was the German archaeologist, Heinrich Schliemann. He succeeded in his quest, and Hisarlik (the site where Schliemann excavated) is today recognized as the ancient site of Troy. Among the artifacts unearthed at Hisarlik is the so-called ‘Treasure of Priam’, which, according to Schliemann, belonged to the Trojan king, Priam.
Discovery of the Treasure of Priam
In 1871, Schliemann began excavating the site of Hisarlik. After identifying a level known as ‘Troy II’ as the Troy of the Iliad, his next objective was to uncover the ‘Treasure of Priam’. As Priam was the ruler of Troy, Schliemann reasoned that he must have hidden his treasure somewhere in the city to prevent it from being captured by the Greeks should the city fall. On May 31, 1873, Schliemann found the precious treasure he was seeking. Schliemann stumbled by chance upon the ‘Treasure of Priam’ when he glimpsed gold in the trench-face while straightening the side of a trench on the southwestern side of the site.
A Golden Hoard
After removing the treasure from the ground (the objects were closely packed, and Schliemann reasoned that they had once been placed within a wooden chest which has since rotted away), Schliemann had his finds locked away in his wooden house. Apart from the gold and silver objects, the ‘Treasure of Priam’ included a number of weapons, a copper cauldron, a shallow bronze pan, and a bronze kettle. Although Schliemann reported that the ‘Treasure of Priam’ was a single find, others have doubted this claim, suggesting that it was a composite, with the most important objects discovered on May 31, 1873, and others discovered earlier but added to the treasure hoard.
Daring Plan to Keep the Treasure from Ottoman Hands
Regardless of the nature of the ‘Treasure of Priam’, the Ottoman authorities wanted to get their hands on the treasure. Schliemann, however, had other plans and devised a scheme to get the artifacts out of Ottoman territory. How Schliemann managed this feat is still a mystery, and there have been numerous speculations over the years. One legend attributes Schliemann’s successful undertaking to his wife, Sophie, who supposedly smuggled the artifacts through Ottoman customs by hiding them in her knickers. Schliemann was eventually sued by the Ottoman government. He lost his case and was fined £400 as compensation to the Ottomans. Schliemann, however, voluntarily paid £2000 instead, which likely secured him something extra, though what this was exactly is unknown.
Finding a Home for Priam’s Treasure
After the discovery of the ‘Treasure of Priam’, Schliemann searched for a museum to display it. In the meantime, the valuable artifacts were kept in Schliemann’s house, causing him much anxiety. In 1877, the ‘Treasure of Priam’ made its first public display in London’s South Kensington Museum (now known as the Victoria and Albert Museum). After several years in London, the ‘Treasure of Priam’ was moved to Berlin in 1881. Between 1882 and 1885, the artifacts were temporarily displayed in the Kunstgewerbe Museum before being transferred to the newly built Ethnological Museum.
The Fate of the Treasure
In the following decades, the ‘Treasure of Priam’ resided in Berlin’s Ethnological Museum. Following the defeat of Nazi Germany and the end of World War II in 1945, however, the artifacts disappeared. It has been suspected that Soviet troops occupying Berlin were responsible for removing the treasure, as well as countless other valuable artifacts and artworks, to Moscow. Possession of the ‘Treasure of Priam’ was denied by the Soviets until 1993, when it was officially admitted that the treasure was indeed in Russia. Today, the ‘Treasure of Priam’ remains in Russia. While the Russians see the treasure as war booty to compensate for their losses during World War II, the Germans view it as looted goods and demand its return.
Conclusion
The story of the ‘Treasure of Priam’ is a fascinating journey through history, filled with discovery, intrigue, and international controversy. From its unearthing by Schliemann to its current residence in Russia, the treasure continues to captivate and inspire those interested in the legendary city of Troy and the ancient world.
