Was the Trojan War real?
So, you're probably wondering at this point if the Trojan War was real or not. The answer is NOW we think it was a real war that happened sometime during the Bronze Age. The stories attributed to Homer about the Trojan War were considered the stuff of fantasy and myth. One man began to change all that. Heinrich Schliemann began excavating the area in Turkey called Hisarlik, a placed he believed to be the site of Ancient Troy. After his discovery, continued excavations revealed layers of this ancient city, including cities pre-dating the Trojan War time period. When one city collapsed or was destroyed by war or earthquake, another layer of a city is built on top of the rubble. Archaeologists believe the modern day site of Troy is likely the city referenced by Homer.
"Some things in Homer that may seem implausible are likely to be true." ~Barry Strauss
Barry Strauss, author of The Trojan War, has this to say about the Trojan War: "Some things in Homer that may seem implausible are likely to be true because the same or similar customs existed in Bronze Age civilizations of the ancient Near East. For example, surprise attacks at night, wars over livestock, iron arrowheads in the Bronze Age, battles between champions instead of armies, the mutilation of enemy corpses, shouting matches between kings in the assembly, battle cries as measures of prowess, weeping as a mark of manhood -- these and many other details are not Homeric inventions but well-attested realities of Bronze Age life."
"So, was it true or not? It comes down to a "probably". There is a city where Troy should be according to ancient sources. A battle could have taken place there, or near there, or perhaps the Homeric story is a summation of Bronze Age warfare, or a particular war that took years of siege tactics. The characters could be composites of real warriors and people, or the names could be real and stories embellished. What we know is that it is more than likely based on real events and people, if not the real event itself.
Who was Homer?
Homer was an ancient Greek poet and storyteller who lived around the 8th century BCE. He is credited with being the author of two of the most important works in Western literature - the Iliad and the Odyssey - which tell the stories of the Trojan War and the journey of Odysseus, respectively. While the exact authorship of these works is debated, Homer is believed to have been a major influence on them. He is also credited with composing other works such as the Homeric Hymns and the Epic Cycle. He is widely considered to be one of the most influential figures in the history of Western literature.
The iliad
The Iliad is an epic poem written by Homer that tells the story of the Trojan War. It begins with King Agamemnon of the Greeks and his army laying siege to Troy. The epic follows the struggles and battles of the Greeks and Trojans, as well as the gods and goddesses who were involved. It culminates with the death of the Trojan hero Hector, and the eventual destruction of Troy by the Greeks. The Iliad is a timeless classic, full of thrilling and emotional moments, and has been praised for its insight into human nature and the consequences of war.
The Odyssey
The Odyssey is an epic poem by Homer, written in the 8th century BC. It tells the story of Odysseus, a Greek hero who has been away from home for 10 years while fighting in the Trojan War. Upon his return, he faces many trials and tribulations in his attempt to get back to Ithaca, his home. Along the way, he is confronted with monsters, gods, goddesses, and a variety of other characters. He must use his wits and cunning to survive and eventually make it back to his family and home. The Odyssey is filled with adventure, mystery, and suspense, as well as themes of loyalty, perseverance, and courage.
The Trojan War in a Nutshell
Two Major Fights in the Iliad
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Because Helen went with Paris to Troy (whether she went willingly or was taken), Helen's husband Menelaus was MAD!! He and his brother, Agamemnon, got all most of the Greeks to join them and make war on Troy. For years they battled and neither side was winning. At one point, Paris challenges Menelaus to a one-on-one fight for Helen and to end the war...BUT Aphrodite, the Goddess of Love, helps Paris when she sees that he's going to lose. Watch the video then answer the questions on a Google doc.
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The most famous one-on-one battle ever written about is probably Achilles and Hector. Hector had killed Achilles' cousin and second in command, Patroklos. Patroklos was wearing Achilles' armor because Achilles refused to fight after Agamemnon humiliated him. Hector thought he'd killed Achilles, but Patroclus' death pushed Achilles into a RAGE.
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With Achilles and Hector both dead, both sides are desperate to end the war. The Greeks know they can't win without Achilles, so they send for his son, Neoptolemus. Odysseus leads a small band of Greek warriors, including Achilles' son, into the city of Troy hidden inside of a wooden horse. When the Trojans go to bed, the Greeks come out and attack. This ends the 10 years of siege warfare between the Greeks and the Trojans. The Greeks win. And true to Bronze Age warfare, the Greeks kill most of the men and and male children, and assault and enslave the women. They headed home after defeating Troy. This is where the Odyssey begins...