The Hippos of Troy

Why Homer Never Talked about a Horse

Author: Francesco Tiboni

This book addresses perhaps the most famous episode in Classical mythology: the Wooden Horse of Troy. Through analysis of words, images and wrecks, the author proposes a new interpretation of what Homer actually intended when he spoke of the 'hippos' used by the Greeks to conquer Troy: a particular ship type, used to pay tribute to Levantine kings.

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The Hippos of Troy: Why Homer Never Talked About a Horse deals with one of the most famous episodes of the whole of Classical mythology, the Wooden Horse of Troy. Thanks to the analysis of words, images and wrecks, the author proposes a new interpretation of what Homer actually intended when he spoke of the hippos used by the Greeks to conquer the city of Troy. The archaeological, iconographic and philological evidence discussed by the author leads to the conclusion that Homer never talked about a giant wooden horse, nor a war machine. In fact, Homer referred to the use of a particular ship type, a merchant ship of Levantine origin in use in the Late Bronze Age/Early Iron Age Mediterranean, used to pay tribute to Levantine kings, as well as to trade precious metal around the Mediterranean coast.

About the Author

Francesco Tiboni graduated with a degree in Prehistory from the University of Milan and a PhD in Naval Archaeology from the Centre Camille Jullian - Université Aix-Marseille in France. He has directed dozens of underwater archaeological research projects in Italy and abroad, including the recovery of three wrecks, two of which date to the Roman era. He has published books and articles on the themes of nautical archaeology, underwater archaeology and naval archaeology and history.