Overview
This lecture summarizes the legendary events of the Trojan War, as told in Homer's Iliad and Odyssey, outlining the causes, major heroes, and final destruction of Troy.
Origins of the Trojan War
- Troy was a powerful kingdom with indestructible walls, ruled by King Priam and Queen Hecuba.
- Priam’s sons included Hector, Troy’s greatest warrior, and Paris, who was prophesied to cause Troy’s destruction.
- Cassandra, Priam’s daughter, received the gift of prophecy from Apollo, but was cursed so no one would believe her.
- Across the sea, Helen, the most beautiful woman, was born to Queen Leda and Zeus in Sparta.
- Helen’s suitors, by Odysseus’s suggestion, swore to protect her chosen husband, Menelaus.
- The goddess Eris, uninvited to a divine wedding, threw a golden apple “to the most beautiful,” leading to rivalry between Hera, Athena, and Aphrodite.
- Paris was chosen to judge the contest; Aphrodite bribed him with Helen's love, causing him to abduct her from Sparta.
Assembling the Greek Forces
- Helen’s abduction led Menelaus to call upon her former suitors to attack Troy.
- Powerful kings joined: Menelaus, Agamemnon (commander), Odysseus (Ithaca), Nestor (Pylos), and Diomedes (Argos).
- Achilles, Greece’s greatest warrior, joined after being discovered in hiding by Odysseus.
- Achilles was invincible except for his heel, which was not submerged in the River Styx.
- Agamemnon sacrificed his daughter Iphigenia to appease Artemis and gain favorable winds to Troy.
Major Events of the War
- Troy was supported by allies like the Lycians, Amazons, and gods Apollo and Aphrodite.
- The Greeks (Achaeans) were backed by Hera, Athena, and Poseidon.
- The war lasted nine years; Greeks raided nearby cities for supplies and prisoners.
- Conflict erupted between Achilles and Agamemnon over captive women Briseis and Chryseis.
- Achilles withdrew from battle after Briseis was taken by Agamemnon.
Climax and Fall of Troy
- Paris and Menelaus dueled for Helen; Menelaus won, but Aphrodite saved Paris.
- Hector killed Patroclus, who fought disguised as Achilles.
- Achilles, enraged by Patroclus’ death, killed Hector and desecrated his body.
- Priam begged Achilles for Hector’s body and received it for burial.
- Paris, aided by Apollo, fatally wounded Achilles with an arrow to his heel.
- Odysseus devised the Trojan Horse, allowing Greeks to infiltrate and sack Troy.
Aftermath
- Troy was destroyed; Priam and his family were killed or enslaved.
- Cassandra was taken by Agamemnon, then both were murdered by his wife Clytemnestra.
- Aeneas escaped Troy and ultimately led survivors to Italy, laying the foundation for Rome.
- Menelaus and Helen returned to Sparta; Odysseus began his long journey home.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Iliad — Homer’s epic poem detailing the last year of the Trojan War.
- Odyssey — Homer’s epic poem about Odysseus’s return from Troy.
- Achaeans — Another name for the Greeks in Homer’s epics.
- Trojan Horse — A deceptive wooden horse used by Greeks to enter Troy.
- Prophecy — A divine prediction of future events.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review the characters and events for each major side in the Trojan War.
- Prepare for discussion or reading on the Odyssey, focusing on Odysseus’s journey home.