1. The Trojan war
and Vergil’s AENEID

2. Hellenism
The term Hellenism describes the historical spread of Greek culture throughout the ancient world.
Hellenism’s influence on Rome began to develop following the acquisition of the eastern Mediterranean around 200 B.C. Romans admired the sophistication of Greek culture, which had a major impact on Roman literature, drama, philosophy, art, architecture and religion.

3. Famous Greek Works
In design, the Aeneid closely resembles Homer’s Illiad and the Odyssey.
The first 6 books of the Aeneid tell of the wanderings of Aeneas and his arrival at the court of Dido in Carthage; the Odyssey recounts Odysseus’ adventures and an episode at the court of Alcinous, a kindly king who entertains Odysseus during his stay.
The last 6 books of the Aeneid are concerned with the creation of a shield made for Aeneas, corresponding to the shield of Achilles in the Iliad. The combat between Turnus and Aeneas for Lavinia parallels the fight between Hector and Achilles in the Iliad.

4. Famous Greek Works
Aeneas, who is the main character of the Aeneid, is mentioned briefly in the Iliad. He is a prince from Dardania, a territory neighboring Troy. He is saved twice from death by the gods as if for an unknown destiny.
Both the Iliad and the Odyssey center around the siege of Troy and the war between the Trojans and the Greeks. It is this from this war that Aeneas flees and where the story of Vergil’s Aeneid begins.

5. The Trojan War: a preface to the Aeneid
Many gods came bearing gifts to the marriage feast of King Peleus and his bride Thetis. Who was not invited to the celebration?
In anger and resentment, this goddess threw a golden apple inscribed “to the Fairest” into the midst of the guests. Who claimed the apple and to whom did they appeal to settle their dispute?
Paris of Troy was told he would decide to whom to give the apple. The three goddesses approached Paris with remarkable bribes. What were they?

6. The Trojan War: a preface to the Aeneid
To which goddess did Paris give the apple? This gained the undying hatred of Juno and Minerva.
Who was the most beautiful woman in the world?
This woman wed Menelaus, king of Sparta, whose brother was Agamemnon, king of Mycenae. Paris did not immediately demand his prize, but upon reminding Venus, she sent him to Sparta. What did Paris do once in Sparta?

7. The Trojan War: a preface to the Aeneid
As soon as Menelaus heard of Paris & Helen’s marriage, he called on all of the Greek chieftains for aid in forming an army against Troy. Name some of these famous leaders.
Menelaus’ fleet sailed and a siege ensued on Troy that lasted for _______ years.
In the final year of the struggle, the Trojan war approached its climax. Troy was finally taken by the ruse of what?

8. The Trojan War: a preface to the Aeneid
The Greeks crawled out of the horse during the night while Troy’s citizens were sleeping. What did they do to the city?
A small band of men under the leadership of _________ escaped from the city and fled. They began building a fleet and set off on a long voyage in search of an unknown but divinely appointed home.
It is this journey that forms the narrative thread of __________ !