Heinrich Schliemann

Introduction to Heinrich Schliemann

Heinrich Schliemann was a German businessman and archaeologist who gained fame for his excavations of historical sites linked to the legends of Troy and Mycenae.

Early Life and Family Background

Schliemann was born on January 6, 1822, in Neubukow, Mecklenburg-Schwerin (part of the German Confederation) to Luise Therese Sophie Schliemann and Ernst Schliemann, a Lutheran minister.

Childhood in Ankershagen

Shortly after his birth, Schliemann’s family moved to Ankershagen, which later housed the present Heinrich Schliemann Museum. He was the fifth of nine children.

Loss of His Mother and Early Education

Schliemann grew up in a household where his father was a poor pastor, and he lost his mother at a young age. After her death, the young Schliemann was sent to live with his uncle, who was also a pastor.

Early Passion for History

As a child, Schliemann developed an interest in history, which was encouraged by his father.

Struggles in Education

Schliemann was briefly enrolled in the Gymnasium (grammar school) at Neustrelitz but had to leave after three months. He later transferred to the Realschule (vocational school) after his father was accused of embezzling the church’s funds.

Early Career as an Apprentice

Schliemann wasn’t able to attend a university due to his family’s poor background. After dropping out of Realschule, he became an apprentice at Herr Holtz’s grocery in Fürstenberg.

Hardships and Financial Success

Schliemann had a rough beginning and did various menial jobs to survive. Eventually, luck shone on him, and he amassed his wealth through trade and investments in various countries, including Russia and the United States. In 1863, he retired from business to dedicate himself to his lifelong ambition of uncovering the truth behind the Homeric epics.

Transition to Archaeology

Believing that the tales of the Trojan War and Greek mythological heroes were rooted in reality, Schliemann embarked on an archaeological career, exploring sites in Turkey, Greece, and Italy.

Discovery of Troy

One of Schliemann’s notable achievements was his claim to have discovered the location of Troy at Hissarlik in northwestern Turkey. Between 1870 and 1890, he conducted numerous excavations at this site.

Exploration of Mycenae

In addition to Troy, Schliemann unearthed the ancient city of Mycenae in southern Greece, where he found valuable tombs and artifacts that he attributed to King Agamemnon and his followers.

Other Archaeological Ventures

Schliemann also explored other sites connected to the Aegean’s Bronze Age civilizations, such as Tiryns, Orchomenus, and Ithaca.

Criticism of His Excavation Methods

Schliemann faced criticism from both his contemporaries and later scholars for his excavation techniques, which were deemed destructive and lacking in care. He employed dynamite and large teams of workers to dig through layers of soil, often causing unintentional damage or destruction of valuable discoveries.

Personal Life

Schliemann was married to Ekaterina Petrovna Lyschin, whom he later divorced. He married his second wife, Sophia Schliemann, and had five children.

Death and Legacy

In 1890, at the age of 68, Schliemann passed away, leaving behind a controversial but impactful legacy in the fields of archaeology and historical exploration.