Instructional Video

Did Ancient Troy Really Exist?

Curated and Reviewed by Lesson Planet
This Did Ancient Troy Really Exist? instructional video also includes:

Because the monsters Scylla, Charybdis, and Polyphemus in Homer's Odyssey are fictional, scholars may assume the Iliad is also entirely fictional. A carefully researched video describes Heinrich Schliemann's discovery of the historical Troy and reveals the real story. Pupils learn about both the true nature of Schliemann's excavation and the roles others played in revealing that the Iliad was actually based on fact.

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Instructional Ideas
  • Differentiate instruction by having the class complete the multiple-choice questions alone or in pairs
  • Extend learning by having advanced individuals generate a social studies or interdisciplinary research topic
Classroom Considerations
  • Detailed geographical knowledge is required for full understanding, so reviewing a map of the region prior to watching the video can help set the scene
  • The linked open-answer questions are challenging and might work better as class discussion topics than assessment
Pros
  • Detailed historical and geographical information provides the foundation for many possible avenues of exploration
  • Website allows teachers to customize the lessons
Cons
  • The first map only has Troy labeled, and is therefore difficult to grasp