Trojan War?
archaeological evidence for a war at the likely site of Troy c. 1200 BCE such a war historically was likely over trade concerns -- Greece eager to open up trade routes to the Black Sea perhaps the taking of Helen is a case of projection
Prelude
Hercules War on Troy The marriage of Peleus & Thetis
the Apple of Discord (to the fairest) the Judgment of Paris
Gathering of allies
special cases of Odysseus & Achilles
War
War lasted for 10 years Troy finally captured through trick of Trojan Horse (Odysseus idea) Major disruption for most Greek heroes on their return (historical evidence) Trojan remnants survive in Italy (according to Roman tradition)
The Iliad
an example of oral poetry, conceived in performance Greeks may have adopted writing, in part, to preserve this story
Ajax Telamonius: bulwark of the Achaeans Odysseus: King of Ithaca wise and wily Nestor: King of Pylos old advisor
Iliad, contd
Book VII: Single combat of Ajax & Hector Book VIII: Truce to bury dead Book IX: Embassy to Achilles (Odysseus, Phoenix & Ajax) Book X: Night Expedition of Odysseus & Diomedes Books XI-XVIII: The Great Battle
Iliad, contd
Book XV: Hector at the ships; Ajax stands alone Book XVI: Patroclus joins battle; Sarpedon killed by Patroclus; Patroclus killed by Hector Book XVII: Menelaus defends Patroclus body
Book XIX: Peace between Agamemnon & Achilles -- too late Book XX: Achilles receives his armor Book XXII: Achilles vs. Hector
Iliad, contd
Book XXIII: Funeral Games for Patroclus Book XXIV: Priam ransoms Hectors body
Aftermath
Paris kills Achilles with bow shot
(what about that heel?) Odysseus wins Achilles armor over Ajax
Some considerations
If Apple of Discord was thrown at wedding of Peleus and Thetis, how does Judgment of Paris come 20 or so years later? If Helen and Clytemnestra are siblings of Castor and Polydeuces, how are the Dioscuri acquaintances of Hercules?