The Story of Troy
Where was Troy and why is it important to us?
Troy really did exist. Her remains have been discovered in present day Turkey.
The Romans believed that they were descendants of survivors of Troy.
Some say Troy was destroyed by the Greeks, while others believe that it was destroyed by an earthquake
Peleus and Thetis
Zeus was attracted to a nymph named Thetis It was foreseen that Thetis’ son would be
greater than his father. Zeus marries Thetis off to Peleus, an old
mortal. (Son = Achilles) All were invited to the wedding,except for
Eris, the goddess of Discord.
Apple of Discord
Eris throws a golden apple into the party Three goddesses claim it as theirs: Hera,
Athena and Aphrodite Zeus won’t choose so he orders Hermes to
take them to Earth so that Paris, a sheperd, can choose.
Judgement of Paris
Paris is a prince of Troy, but is unaware All 3 goddesses offer a bribe
Athena offers wisdom and skill in battle Hera offers political power and control of Asia Aphrodite offers the most beautiful woman in the
world Paris chooses Aphrodite
Who’s the most beautiful woman?
Helen of Sparta (later know as Helen of Troy) Mother—Leda, Father—Zeus or Tyndareus Zeus seduces Leda and she has two sets of
twins: Helen, Clytemnestra, Castor and Pollux. Helen has suitors and all swear to an oath to
protect and defend Helen’s marriage. Her father choose Menelaus as her husband.
Menelaus’ brother, Agamemnon marries Clytemnestra
Naughty Paris
Paris now knows that he’s a prince. Diplomatic mission to Sparta Seduces (or kidnaps) Helen They return to Troy Odysseus and Menelaus try to solve the
problem diplomatically All the suitors must fulfill their oath
I don’t want to go.
Agamemnon declares himself as leader of the Greek army.
Now married to Penelope and father of Telemachus, Odysseus/Ulysses feigns madness.
Achilles pretends to be a girl. 1,000 ships went to retrieve Helen. Therefore,
Helen is known as “the face that launched 1,000 ships.
House of Atreus
Agamemnon becomes leader of the Greeks. Belongs to the House of Atreus
Tantalus cuts up his son, Pelops, and feeds him to the gods and goddesses.
Endures eternal punishment in the Underworld Sacrifice of Iphigenia
Upsets Artemis No winds to sail Must appease Artemis
Important Players
Greek Agamemnon—king of
Mycenae Menelaus—King of Sparta Achilles—king of Myrmidons Odysseus—King of Ithaca Ajax the great Ajax the lesser Nestor—Agamemnon’s right
hand man Neoptolemus—Achilles’ son
Trojan Priam—king of Troy Hecuba—queen of Troy Hector—Prince of Troy Andromache—Hector’s wife Aeneas--ancestor of Romans Paris—Prince of Troy Cassandra—Princess of Troy
The Gods & Goddesses
Greek Supporters Hera Athena Poseidon Hephaestus
Trojan Supporters Aphrodite—mother of
Aeneas Ares Apollo Artemis
The Wrath of Achilles
Agamemnon receives Chryseis, a priestess of Apollo, as a concubine.
Plague strikes the troops. Agamemnon returns Chryseis to her father and
the plague is lifted. In return, he takes Achilles’ girl, Briseis. Achilles feels disrespected and refuses to fight.
Death of Patroclus
Patroclus, Achilles’ “cousin”, goes into battle under the guise of Achilles.
Fights like Achilles and takes out several Trojans
Killed by Hector who believes that it is Achilles.
Takes Achilles’ armor as is customary
Death of Hector
Achilles receives new armor &reconciles with Agamemnon
Briseis is returned to Achilles
Hector is defeated by Achilles.
Body desecrated
A Humble Request
Hector’s body has been destroyed Achilles takes it back to his camp Ultimate disgrace—not allowing for proper
burial King Priam goes into the Greek camps to
request the return of body Achilles obliges. A temporary truce allows
time for the funeral games.
Several Shall Fall
Achilles kills many, including children Paris shoots him through his only weak spot
(with the help of Apollo) Paris is killed by Philoctetes (Hercules’ friend) Achilles’ son now joins the battle
(Neoptolemus)
The Trojan Horse
Odysseus has a plan Greeks pretend to flee, but hide on a nearby
island Several of their best warriors hide inside the
horse The horse is supposed to be an offering to Athena
for a safe return home. The Trojans think that they have won and
party!!!!!
Hear Our Warnings
Cassandra advises against taking the horse Has the gift of prophecy No one believes her
because of Apollo’s curse
Laocoon, a priest, and his 2 small sons are eaten by serpents
Whyyyyyyyyyyy?????
Neoptolemus kills King Priam Menelaus kills Helen’s new husband, but
spares her. Agamemnon takes Cassandra, Neoptolemus
take Andromache, Odysseus gets Queen Hecuba
Neoptolemus kills Hector’s infant son
Importance to Us
Hector appears to Aeneas in a dream Flees with wife, son (Ascanius) and father. Wife disappears Leads the survivors to Italy after having his
own “odyssey” Stops in Carthage along the way (Punic Wars) Unites with the Latins and marries Lavinia His descendents will found Rome.
What about the rest?
Gods are angry at the actions of the Achaeans Most won’t make it home Nestor makes it home (no looting/ill acts) Ajax the Lesser—killed by Athena (thrown
onto jagged rocks.) Agamemnon—killed by wife and new lover Odysseus—arrives home after 10 years Menelaus—returns to Sparta with Helen
Sources
http://ancienthistory.about.com/cs/troyilium/a/trojanwar_3.htm