The Trojan WarThe Trojan War

Or Or

““To To getget Helen Back” Helen Back”

The Cause of the WarThe Cause of the War

Short Version – Wife of a King is Short Version – Wife of a King is kidnapped. War is waged to get her kidnapped. War is waged to get her backback

Longer version –Longer version –– Once upon a time …Once upon a time …

The goddess of discord (with a title like that, The goddess of discord (with a title like that, how can you NOT cause trouble) wasn’t how can you NOT cause trouble) wasn’t invited to a wedding. She decided to cause invited to a wedding. She decided to cause some trouble.some trouble.

Paris’ ChoiceParis’ Choice

Paris was a young prince of TROY. His Paris was a young prince of TROY. His dad was told that one day he would dad was told that one day he would cause the destruction of the kingdom. cause the destruction of the kingdom. His dad sent him far way.His dad sent him far way.

Teris, the goddess of discord, was upset Teris, the goddess of discord, was upset that she was not invited to a wedding. that she was not invited to a wedding. – Really,who can blame Thetis and Pellius for Really,who can blame Thetis and Pellius for

not inviting someone known as the not inviting someone known as the “goddess of Discord”? “goddess of Discord”?

Paris’ Choice ContinuedParis’ Choice Continued

Eris tosses a golden apple inscribed Eris tosses a golden apple inscribed with “Belonging to the fairest” at the with “Belonging to the fairest” at the feet of three goddesses, feet of three goddesses, HeraHera, , Athena Athena and and AphroditeAphrodite. Each, of . Each, of course assumes it is hers.course assumes it is hers.

Zeus is too wise to get involved in Zeus is too wise to get involved in the fight and decides that Paris, a the fight and decides that Paris, a fine young judge of women, can be fine young judge of women, can be the one to decide.the one to decide.

Bribes are “fairest” Bribes are “fairest” gamegame

Three Goddesses try to bribe him to be the one he chooses.

Hera promised him Europe and AsiaAthena promised that he would lead the Trojans to victory against the GreeksAphrodite promised him the most beautiful woman in all the world

Paul Ruben’s Judgment of Paris

And the winner is …And the winner is …

Because he is young, foolish, and destined Because he is young, foolish, and destined to cause trouble, he choosesto cause trouble, he chooses

Aphrodite – who give him the most beautiful woman in the world. Her name is Helen – she is from Sparta, a city-state in Greece - Sparta is known for its army.

Helen just happens to be already married

He husband just happens to be the king of Sparta

Let’s Get Ready to Let’s Get Ready to Rumble!!!!!Rumble!!!!!

Helen’s husband is Menelaus – the Helen’s husband is Menelaus – the king of king of SpartaSparta. He wants his wife . He wants his wife back. The Greeks want to take over back. The Greeks want to take over Troy anyway, so ALL of the Greeks Troy anyway, so ALL of the Greeks agree to help him.agree to help him.

Troy is protected by an amazing wall Troy is protected by an amazing wall around the city that no army has around the city that no army has ever been able to penetrate.ever been able to penetrate.

Just how long is this going to Just how long is this going to take?take?

The battle for Troy/Helen lasts for 10 The battle for Troy/Helen lasts for 10 years! Thousands die on each side.years! Thousands die on each side.

Heroes are plentiful on each side.Heroes are plentiful on each side.– Achilles – best Greek warriorAchilles – best Greek warrior– Hector – best Trojan warriorHector – best Trojan warrior

Let’s Call it a DrawLet’s Call it a Draw

Even after 10 years, there is no clear Even after 10 years, there is no clear winner. Perhaps the Greeks will have to winner. Perhaps the Greeks will have to go home without their prize, unless. . . go home without their prize, unless. . .

Isn’t that Odysseus guy supposed to be clever?

Can’t he come up with something?

Odysseus’ PlanOdysseus’ Plan

Odyssey comes up with a plan to Odyssey comes up with a plan to make it look as if the Greeks have make it look as if the Greeks have given up.given up.

They will build a giant hollow horse (a They will build a giant hollow horse (a symbol of Troy) and leave it outside symbol of Troy) and leave it outside the walls of the city.the walls of the city.

A group of men will hide inside and A group of men will hide inside and when the time is right, they will climb when the time is right, they will climb out, open the gates. The Greeks will out, open the gates. The Greeks will rush in and Troy will fall.rush in and Troy will fall.

Surprisingly Enough. . .Surprisingly Enough. . .

The plan worked! Greeks, away from The plan worked! Greeks, away from home for 10 years, will all be able to home for 10 years, will all be able to return home to their wives and return home to their wives and children.children.

Few wanted to get home as much as Few wanted to get home as much as Odysseus. He heads for home with his Odysseus. He heads for home with his men and provisions. This is where men and provisions. This is where ourour story STARTS!story STARTS!