Myth of the Trojan War

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Everyone has heard of the abduction of Queen Helen of Sparta by the Trojan Prince, Paris. But few know how it really began. I wish to take the path less traveled, and explore the myth of The Trojan War.

How it began

It all started with the wedding of the Greek Hero Peleus to the lovely sea nymph, Thetis. All the gods of Olympus were in attendance that day, save one; Eris, the Goddess of Discord, who was disliked by everyone because of her vindictive nature. Furious at being snubbed thus, she stormed into the marriage hall. “Eris comes at last!” she cried triumphantly; “and she comes with a gift!” She threw a golden apple on the table, and stalked off laughing harshly. On the apple it was written, “For the fairest.”Now the three major Goddesses, Hera, Athena and Aphrodite, all laid claim to the apple, nearly coming to blows over its possession; unable to reach a conclusion, Hera demanded Zeus settle the matter. Unwilling to favor one Goddess and invite the wrath of the other two, Zeus suddenly had a brainwave.

The Judgement Of Paris And The Abduction

Paris, the youngest prince of Troy, was living as a shepherd, having been discarded by his father as a baby due to a prophecy by his sister that he would cause the downfall of Troy. Zeus, having heard of his fairness in judgement, decided to let him determine who was worthy of the apple. Paris agreed despite his own misgivings. Hera promised him all of Asia Minor and Greece to rule; Athena promised him everlasting wisdom and victory in battle; Aphrodite promised that she would give him the most beautiful woman on earth to be his wife. Taken by her offer, he gave the golden apple to her, inciting the wrath of Hera and Athena.

Shortly after, Paris was recognized by his siblings, Cassandra and Hector, and their father Priam, who planned to welcome his son back. Cassandra reiterated her prophecy, but was ignored. Paris was sent as his father’s international envoy to Sparta. Helen, the most beautiful woman in the world, was the wife of king Menelaus. Upon seeing her, Paris was instantly infatuated with her, and he made plans to betray his host and kidnap her. Aphrodite determined to help him seduce the faithful Helen. She gave him the voice and form of Menelaus, and the unsuspecting Helen readily went with him to his ship, leaving her daughter, Hermione. The queen of Sparta realized the deception when it was too late.

Trojan War

Upon realising the deception of Paris, the enraged Menelaus demanded that they get his wife back. His brother Agamemnon wanted to go to war immediately, but Odysseus, the wily king of Ithaca, advised that at first, they ask Priam to return Helen. When Priam insolently refused, it was unanimously agreed upon that war was required. Several warriors answered the call; Diomed; Ajax; Achilles; Teucer and later, Philoctetes and Achilles’ son, Neoptolemus.

The Greek fleet sailed to Troy following the sacrifice of Agamemnon’s daughter, Iphigenia. The battle began in full earnest. Even the gods participated; Hera, Athena, Poseidon and Hercules on The Greek side, Ares, Aphrodite, Apollo and Artemis on the Trojan side. There was more bloodshed in this battle than any other; Patroclus, cousin of Achilles was killed by Hector, resulting in his own death at the hands of Achilles, who dishonoured his body until Priam begged for it. Before dying, Hector told Achilles, “Remember me when Paris slays you in the Scaen Gate!” Paris killed Achilles in the Scaen Gate with an arrow to the heel. Achilles’ cruel son, Neoptolemus and a warrior Philoctetes entered the scene. Paris was killed by Philoctetes. In the tenth year, Oddyseus constructed a wooden horse which was large enough to hide thirty Greeks. They massacred the inhabitants of the city and Helen was happily reunited with Menelaus.

I hope that this article helped enhance your knowledge and hope you did not doze while reading it!

Thank you!