1. The Trojan War

2. The Trojan War
The Trojan War actually occurred; the city of Troy fell into the hands of the Greeks.
Archaeologists have found historical evidence of the war.
Was it exactly as told in The Iliad?
No. It was probably fought over commerce and trade between Greece and Asia Minor.
But Homer’s version (The Iliad) is more exciting!
Some of the characters may have been based on real personalities.

3. When was the war? beginning of the 12th century B.C. 1193 – 1184 B.C.
That’s 3,200 years ago!
B.C. = Before Christ
A.D. = Anno Domini (The Year of Our Lord)

4. What is a Trojan? a person from Troy
one who shows qualities (endurance, toughness, determined energy) like those of the soldiers who defended ancient Troy

5. Who supports whom? Trojans Greeks Artemis Hera Poseidon Ares Hermes
Apollo
Aphrodite
Greeks
Hera
Poseidon
Hermes
Athena
Zeus tries to remain neutral, but he shows empathy for Priam and Hector.

6. How did it start?
Eris, goddess of discord, was not invited to a wedding banquet on Mt. Olympus.
Into the banquet hall, Eris tossed a golden apple inscribed “For the Fairest.”
Athena, Hera, and Aphrodite asked Zeus to decide who deserved the apple.
Zeus would not choose. (He’s no fool!)
Zeus says Paris is an excellent judge of beauty and refers the goddesses to him.

7. The Judgment of Paris Paris was the son of King Priam of Troy.
He was rather weak and cowardly.
Priam had sent him away from Troy because an oracle prophesied that he would be the ruin of the city.
When the goddesses appeared to him, they each offered him a bribe:
Athena would make him a great warrior.
Hera would make him ruler of Europe and Asia.
Aphrodite would give him the most beautiful woman in the world.

8. Who did paris choose? Paris gave the apple to Aphrodite.
She then took Paris to Helen, the most beautiful woman in the world.
Hera and Athena vowed revenge.

9. Helen Helen was a daughter of Zeus. She was the wife of Menelaus.
Menelaus was the brother of the Greek King, Agamemnon.
See the problem?

10. Paris takes Helen