Trojans of all classes enjoyed a nice jug of wine

The ancient epic poem, Homer’s “The Iliad,” is not only a tale of heroic battles and divine intervention but also a depiction of the gods and goddesses of Mount Olympus enjoying a round of drinks together. In one scene, Hephaestus, the god of fire and craftsmanship, serves wine to his mother Hera and the other deities, sparking laughter and merriment that lasts until sunset.

Recent archaeological findings have shed new light on the consumption of wine in ancient Troy, the setting of “The Iliad.” Excavations at the ruins of Troy, led by German archaeologist Heinrich Schliemann, unearthed numerous clay depas goblets, two-handled drinking vessels that date back to 2500-2000 BCE. These vessels, capable of holding between 0.25-1 liter of liquid, were found not only in palaces and temples but also in common households, suggesting that wine was enjoyed by all levels of society.

A groundbreaking study conducted by a team of researchers from the Universities of Tübingen, Bonn, and Jena analyzed the chemical composition of residues found in the depas goblets. By identifying molecules such as succinic and pyruvic acid, which are produced during the fermentation of grape juice into wine, the researchers confirmed that wine was indeed consumed from these vessels. This discovery challenges the previous belief that wine was a luxury reserved for the elite, revealing that even common people in Troy indulged in the fermented grape beverage.

While the frequency of wine consumption among the middle- and lower-class residents of Troy remains uncertain, the presence of wine residues in common household vessels highlights the widespread popularity of this beverage in ancient times. These findings not only provide insight into the daily lives of the people of Troy but also support the notion that Homer’s epic poem may have been inspired by real historical events.

In conclusion, the discovery of wine residues in depas goblets from ancient Troy underscores the significance of wine as a staple beverage in Bronze Age society. From the feasts of the gods on Mount Olympus to the humble households of Troy, wine played a central role in social gatherings and celebrations, uniting people across different social strata in the shared enjoyment of this ancient libation. The world of technology is constantly evolving, with new innovations and advancements being introduced at a rapid pace. One such advancement that has been making waves in recent years is the development of artificial intelligence (AI). AI is a branch of computer science that aims to create machines that can perform tasks that typically require human intelligence, such as visual perception, speech recognition, decision-making, and language translation.

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