Was the Trojan Horse real?

The Trojan Horse has been called the ultimate sneak attack, bringing down the city of Troy after withstanding nine years of battles. But are the stories of the Trojan War as recounted in Homer’s ancient Greek epic poem, “The Iliad,” fact or fiction?

Mark Schwartz, associate professor of anthropology and military historian, along with a team of historians, military engineers and archaeologists, examined the Trojan War from several historical and scientific perspectives to discover the truth behind the Trojan Horse on a recent episode of “Secrets of the Dead” on PBS.

Schwartz was filmed on the ancient walls of Troy where he discussed the fortifications and defenses of the city, as well as the techniques the Mycenaean Greeks may have used to capture the city.

“I think the show provides a new angle to the tale of the Trojan Horse and does not simply rehash earlier documentaries on the subject,” Schwartz said. “The story of the Trojan Horse is such a part of our culture and popular imagination. The cinematography is excellent and viewers will get a real feel for the archeological site.”

The documentary episode of “Secrets of the Dead” aired October 13 and can be viewed online at www.pbs.org/secrets.