Schliemann: The Scholar

Schliemann’s formal education ended when he was fourteen. Much later, in 1866, he enrolled at the Sorbonne in Paris, taking courses in French language and literature, linguistics, Greek philosophy, literature, and archaeology.  Immersed in the world of learning, he tried to fill the gaps in his education by participating in the city’s intellectual and social life, making friends with well-known scholars, such as the philosopher and historian Ernest Renan, and Émile Egger, professor of Greek at the Sorbonne.

Schliemann was a polyglot and a prolific writer, recording his experiences and opinions in his diaries, often in the language of the country being visited. These diaries now stand as evidence of his linguistic capabilities.  Ithâque, le Péloponnnèse, Troie, published in French in 1869, was his first book on Homeric sites, earning him a doctorate from the University of Rostock in Germany. The meticulously prepared results at Troy (1874, 1875), Mycenae (1878), Orchomenos (1881), and Tiryns (1885) were swiftly published by leading houses in three languages—English, French, and German. Schliemann’s books were abundantly illustrated, unlike other contemporary works, also featuring contributions by specialist scholars. Schliemann was a pioneer in using photography to record his field work. He received honorary degrees, awards, and memberships from numerous institutions, societies, and associations thanks to his discoveries.

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