The TROJAN WAR *Background* schoolhistory.co.nz

Background The Argonaut Peleus married the sea nymph Thetis in a ceremony attended by almost all the gods and goddesses.

Unfortunately, they forgot to send an invitation to Eris, the goddess of Discord.

For the Fairest However, Eris gatecrashed the ceremony and threw a golden apple into the throng. On the apple was written: “For the Fairest”. As she had hoped three goddesses wanted the apple.

Hermes took the three contestants: Athene, Hera and Aphrodite, to Mt Ida near Troy where Paris was looking after his cattle. To make the decision of who should get the apple Zeus gave the task to Paris, a prince of Troy.

He awarded Aphrodite the apple thereby making enemies of the other two goddesses. Aphrodite had promised him he could have the most beautiful woman in the world. But Helen was already married to King Menelaus of Sparta.

Paris visited Sparta and Aphrodite made Helen fall in love with Paris. The two left for Troy. Menelaus demanded the return of his wife. When this did not happen he approached his allies around Greece to help him.

His brother, Agamemnon of Mycenae led a huge fleet and laid siege to Troy. Ten years later Troy fell and Helen returned to her husband.

Who was Helen? Her mother was Leda, wife of King Tyndareos of Sparta, who was so beautiful that Zeus was attracted to her. Leda loved swans and so Zeus gained access to her by appearing as a swan, seducing her. Leda was already pregnant and she gave birth to two sets of twins. One child of each pair was mortal and one semi-divine.

Semi divine Helen and mortal Clytemnestra Semi divine Polydeuces and mortal Castor Helen was the most beautiful woman ever born. Helen’s husband was destined to become King of Sparta.

To deal with ardent suitors, Odysseus suggested that all unsuccessful suitors promise to defend the man lucky enough to become her husband. Menelaus was then chosen as her husband. All her former suitors were honour bound to bring her back when she was ‘abducted’ by Paris.

Who was Achilles? He was the greatest of all of the Greek heroes who fought at Troy. He was the son of Thetis and Peleus (see golden apple). His mother dipped him into the magic waters of the River Styx when he was a baby to make him invincible in battle.

However, as she dipped her baby in the water she prevented the water reaching his heel. Fate offered Achilles either a long happy life without fame or a short glorious life and be remembered forever. Achilles chose fame.

Achilles was strong, brave, a fast runner and a skilled fighter. He was also brutal and self centred.

Odysseus was the ruler of Ithaca. He was one of Helen’s suitors and had to go to Troy. He tried to get out of his obligation. Odysseus

Odysseus was most feared by his enemies and he was clever and inventive. He was particularly admired for his cunning.

He was a family man and a favourite of Athene. He was also nasty, ruthless and treacherous.

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