The lecture restates the reasons for equating the territory known to the Hittites as Ahhiyāwā with the lands of the late Bronze Age Achaean Greeks. Diplomatic relations between the two realms are examined with particular attention to the city called Wilusa by the Hittites. Finally, it is asked to what extent, if any, the Iliad recalled western Asia Minor and its political geography half a millennium and more after the period traditionally assigned to the Trojan War.
George Huxley took part in excavations at Mycenae and Knossos in the 1950s. He is a former Assistant Director of the BSA and has been a member of the School’s Managing Committee. Among his writings is Achaeans and Hittites, and with his friend the late J. N. Coldstream he edited Kythera. Excavations and Studies. In 1957 he married the archaeologist Davina Best, the editor of Cretan Quests. He is an honorary citizen of Kythera.
The lecture will be followed by an informal reception. There is a suggested donation of £8.50 for Supporters of the BSA (£10.50 otherwise). Cheques should be made payable to the ‘British School at Athens’ and sent in advance to BSA, 10 Carlton House Terrace, London SW1Y 5AH. RSVP to Kate Smith: bsa@britac.ac.uk | BSA, 10 Carlton House Terrace, London SW1Y 5AH