A series of programs about historical fortresses etc.
The one on Troy was very relevant to CK talk.
Sadly it is only available on DISCOVERY channel at the moment.
The main points of notes for me were.
1. The ten year siege was in fact a multiple of smaller sieges. Similar to the Hundred years war.
2. Troops using the crescent shield were using the dip in the top to thrust through and still protect their arm.
3. The bronze swords were wide in the middle to try to compensate for the inherent weakness in bronze. i.e. It snaps.
4.Small plates /lamellar armour was on top of a thick hide type undercoat.
5.Troy was a harbour but the land silted up and now it is 4 miles from the sea.
5.Troy built a deep vertical sided dip around the outer city.
6. There were forays and duels outside of the walls.
7.The mummy type bronze armour (with the raised neck protection) was very good, as the bronze weapons would not pierce it easily.
8. The defending Trojans used a lot of slings.
9.There were about 9 different(major changes) cities of Troy on top of each other.
10. Troy was eventually abandoned partially due to earthquakes.
11. It is suggested that Troy was very valuable economically and that HELEN was an excuse. Surely not?
martin :)
Interesting stuff, Martin, thanks for sharing.
As we were discussing at WWW - there's something fascinating about Troy and the Trojan Horse, the challenge being how to weave a fun game around it all!
Simon
I did read somewhere, a few years ago, that refugees from the fall of Troy moved to mid Italy and were partially involved with the development and growth of a a little settlement that sat on 7 hills. No prizes for guessing what became of that little place. Not entirely convinced but there was professional speculation on the subject.
Derek
Also the story of Trojan refugees being responsible for the founding of Carthage. May have some grain of truth, but I am more in favour of the founding by Phoenician merchants.