The Trojan War – fact or fictionThe Trojan War – fact or fiction

What is a myth?

• A myth is an explanation of something in nature; how everything in the universe came into existence (men, animals, trees, the sun, earthquakes, etc).

•Myths were used by the Ancient Greeks to glorify their past, and also to make fun of themselves.

•Greek mythology is made up of stories about gods, goddesses, god-like humans, and other creatures.

•Myths were also told to teach lessons on how to live one’s life.

That’ll teach ya!That’ll teach ya!

Greek Gods and Goddesses Greek Gods and Goddesses

The Greeks believed that human affairs were influenced by the gods and goddesses that lived on Mount Olympus in NorthernGreece.

The Gods and Goddesses of Mt. Olympus

Source: (http://www.mythweb.com/gods/index.html)

Gods and Goddesses (cont’d)Gods and Goddesses (cont’d)

Main Gods and Goddesses:◦ ZEUS: ruler of all gods◦ HERA: Zeus’ wife, goddess of

marriage◦ APOLLO: god of light,

prophesy, and music◦ APHRODITE: goddess of love◦ ARES: god of war◦ ATHENA: goddess of wisdom◦ POSEIDON: god of the sea◦ DIONYSUS: god of wine◦ ARTEMIS: goddess of hunting◦ HERMES – messenger god◦ HEPHAESTUS – god of

meteallurgy◦ DEMETER – goddess of the

harvest

◦ The Greek Gods and Goddesses were ‘anthropomorphic’ – given human qualities even though they were not human.

◦ They were made in the image of man, flaws and all.

Those Nasty Goddesses . . .Those Nasty Goddesses . . .

For the Fairest

The Apple of Discord The Judgement of Paris

The Judgement of Paris, Peter Paul Rubens, ca 1636 (National Gallery, London)

Source: (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judgement_of_Paris_%28mythology%29)

The Trojan WarThe Trojan War

Background:- Believed to have taken place

between 1260 – 1250 BCE.

- Archeological remains show some evidence of a battle.

- Story was told by the poet Homer (c. 800 BCE) in a story called The Illiad.

- According to Homer, a Spartan queen named Helen was stolen away by the Trojan prince named Paris (remember the apple?)

- Helen became ‘the face that launched a thousand ships.’

- If there was a war, it was most likely a war of conquest…

Doh!

The Gods Take SidesThe Gods Take Sides

TROJANS(Paris, Hector)

AphroditeAresApolloArtemisZeus (favored, but

stayed neutral to please Hera)

GREEKS(Achilles,Odysseus)

HeraAthenaPoseidon

Watch the two epic warriors battle it out one on one:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AW256O1uK74

The Bloody BattleThe Bloody Battle

According to Homer, the war lasted for 10 long years

Some of the characteristics of war during this time:◦ hand to hand combat◦ periods of temporary truce to

bury the dead◦ no fighting after sunset◦ Gods decided the outcomes◦ Greek weaponry:

long spears round shields light armour (hoplites)

◦ Trojan weaponry: spears long shields archers light armour

Military TacticsMilitary Tactics

Armies for both sides extremely loyal – professional soldiers (trained as early as 5 years old in Sparta)

Led by charismatic generals (Greeks – Achilles, Trojans – Hektor) Importance of sacrifice to the gods before battle Trojan walls were ‘impregnable’ – never breached Both sides relied on infantry (foot soldiers) Chariots used – very little Cavalry used – the wealthiest soldiers Goals – outlast the enemy in a war of ‘attrition’ Infantry supported by archers in the rear Terror tactics (fireballs, boiling oil to prevent sieges)

(All accounts are based on later written accounts of battles from this region)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OFWOzENwX3M

The Trojan Horse – Myth or Reality?The Trojan Horse – Myth or Reality?

19th century etching of an imagined Trojan Horse.Source: (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trojan_Horse)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YbiR6IMf5KQ

Your TaskYour Task

Read the article about the Trojan Horse, and answer the questions that follow.