Final answer:
The historical Trojan War occurred during the Late Bronze Age around the 12th or 13th century BCE. The Iliad and The Odyssey were first recited during this era. Heinrich Schliemann excavated the site of ancient Troy in 1876 based on the descriptions in Homer's epics.
Step-by-step explanation:
The historical Trojan War that serves as the setting for The Iliad occurred during the Late Bronze Age, specifically around the 12th or 13th century BCE. This time period is also known as the Homeric Age, and it is believed that The Iliad and The Odyssey were first recited during this era. Heinrich Schliemann, an amateur archaeologist, excavated the site of ancient Troy in 1876 based on the descriptions in Homer's epics.