The Legend of the Trojan War

Paris Paris was the son of King Priam of Troy Before his birth, his mother dreamed she gave birth to a burning torch His older sister prophesized that the newborn should be killed before he destroyed the city

Paris Paris was sent off to be killed, but was saved by a shepherd He was raised as a poor shepherd His fate was sealed when approached by Zeus for a favor

The Wedding The goddess Eris was not invited to the wedding of Achilles’ parents She sought revenge for the insult She tossed in a golden apple with the words “for the fairest”

The Wedding The goddesses Hera, Athena and Aphrodite all claimed the apple Zeus was asked to decide, but he didn’t want to choose between his wife and daughters Zeus gave the job to Paris The goddesses promised him power, success in battle and the love of the most beautiful woman in Greece Paris chose love

Helen Paris was promised the beautiful Helen Paris was promised the beautiful Helen She was, at that time, married to King Menelaus of Sparta She was, at that time, married to King Menelaus of Sparta Because of her great beauty, all great men of Greece vowed to protect her Because of her great beauty, all great men of Greece vowed to protect her

Paris Returns When Paris was a young man, he entered athletic games in the city of Troy His posture, physique, looks and ability set him apart from all the other athletes He was recognized as the Prince and reunited with his father and brother

Paris and Helen As Prince, Paris was sent to Sparta as an emissary There he met Helen and when Menelaus was away, the two ran off to Troy with much of the kingdom’s wealth Paris and Helen were not well received by King Priam, but the people of Troy soon fell in love with Helen Menelaus vowed to find them and bring Helen back home to Sparta

Menelaus Menelaus went to Troy to bring back Helen and his treasure, but he is turned away Menelaus called on his brother, King Agamemnon for help As the High King, Agamemnon called upon all the kingdoms of Greece to help get Helen back

The Journey to Troy Agamemnon insulted the gods on his way to Troy Agamemnon insulted the gods on his way to Troy His fleet was stalled by idle winds His fleet was stalled by idle winds Agamemnon sacrificed his own daughter so that his army could proceed to Troy Agamemnon sacrificed his own daughter so that his army could proceed to Troy

The Greek Arrival The Greek fleet finally arrived at the shores of Troy They were met by Priam’s son Hector and his army The first man off the boat was killed by Hector, and the war began

The Siege The Greeks surrounded the city of Troy and lay siege to it for 9 years The Greeks surrounded the city of Troy and lay siege to it for 9 years During this time, many battles took place and many men on both sides were lost During this time, many battles took place and many men on both sides were lost In the tenth year of the war, both sides were weary of the battle and wanted it to end In the tenth year of the war, both sides were weary of the battle and wanted it to end

Agamemnon’s Anger Agamemnon took a priest’s daughter as a prisoner of war As punishment, Apollo sent a plague on his men Achilles humiliated him and in revenge, Agamemnon took Achilles’ “prize” The great warrior Achilles who had saved the Greek forces many times, refused to fight for Agamemnon and the Greek army

The Duel Menelaus, in an effort to end the war, called Paris out The two fought and Menelaus beat him easily At the last minute, Aphrodite saved him and hid him

Greek Losses Without Achilles, the Greeks suffered heavy losses Without Achilles, the Greeks suffered heavy losses The Trojans, under Hector’s leadership made their way to the Greek ships on the beach The Trojans, under Hector’s leadership made their way to the Greek ships on the beach Achilles still refused to fight Achilles still refused to fight

Hector and Patroclus Achilles friend Patroclus was given permission to reenter the war He wore Achilles’ armor, hoping to frighten the Trojans Hector saw him and killed him, thinking he was Achilles

Achilles Returns Infuriated by his friend’s death, Achilles reentered the war with a vengeance He killed many Trojans single-handedly and dueled successfully with Hector as well Achilles, in his fury, dragged the prince’s body around the palace behind his chariot King Priam found Achilles at his ship and offered a ransom for his son’s body, in shame, Achilles acquiesced

Achilles’ Death Achilles fought furiously against the Trojans Paris, hidden behind the lines of Trojan soldiers, fired an arrow at Achilles The arrow hit the great warrior in his only vulnerable spot

Odysseus and the Horse Odysseus commissioned his men to build an enormous wooden horse with the hulls of damaged ships The horse was left outside the gates of Troy The Greek forces left the shores of Troy “Beware of Greeks bearing gifts!”

The Sacking of Troy The horse was brought into the city At night soldiers hidden in the horse killed the guards The hidden Greek forces came back and sacked the city Men were killed and women and children were taken as slaves

Misadventures at the End of the War Helen was retuned to Menelaus, but his journey home was cursed Odysseus lost all of his men and had a great misadventure Agamemnon returned home and was murdered by his wife