9th Grade Honors Greek Mythology: The Trojan War

Judgment of Paris

Jan 1, 1000

When King Peleus and the sea nymph Thetis were getting married, they invited everybody except for Eris, the goddess of Discord. Greatly angered, she went to the banquet hall where the marriage was taking place and threw an apple, The Apple of Discord, into the room. On it was inscribed "For the Fairest." It could not be decided who the recipient of the apple would be, so Hera, Aphrodite, and Pallas Athena all ventured to Paris, Prince of Troy, in the country for him to decide.

Judgment of Paris (cont.)

Jan 1, 1000

Paris was in the country in Troy living with the nymph Oenone because it was prophesized that he would ruin Troy. The three goddesses had bribed him all into choosing them as the owner of the Apple of Discord. Hera said that she would make him the Lord of Europe and Asia; Athena promised him that he would lead the Trojans to victory against the Greeks and destroy Greece; Aphrodite told him that she would make the fairest woman in all the world his.

Judgment of Paris (2nd cont.)

Jan 1, 1000

With these offers laid out in front of him, Paris chose Aphrodite as the recipient of the apple. Though he would have the fairest woman in the world as his, the Judgment of Paris is the real reason as to why the Trojan War was fought.

Paris Carries Off Helen of Troy

Jan 1, 1001

Helen, the fairest woman in all the world who had suitors flocking to her as well as the daughter of Zeus, was carried off by Paris after he was led to her by Aphrodite.

Menelaus calls for an army to go find Helen, they embark.

Jan 1, 1002

Brother of Agamemnon and Helen's chosen husband who was made the King of Sparta, Menelaus was able to get Odysseus and Achilles to reluctantly travel with him. The group of Greek fighters met at Aulis, the place of the great winds. The wind never ceased to blow, stalling the fleet in beginning their journey. As it turns out, Artemis was unhappy because the Greeks had killed a hare along with its young.

Menelaus calls for an army to go find Helen, they embark.

Jan 1, 1002

With this information, it was decided that Agamemnon would have to sacrifice his eldest daughter to ensure a safe voyage. He wrote to his daughter telling her of an arranged marriage between herself and Achilles. When she arrived to Aulis, Agamemnon instead took her to the altar for her sacrifice.

Greek Fleet Arrives At Troy

Jan 1, 1002

It was prophesized that the first ashore would in turn be the first to die. The unfortunate soul that had this to face was Protesilaus, who stepped ashore the mouth of the Simois before anybody else. His wife, Laodamia, killed herself after Hermes brought him back a second time for her to see and grieve over his dead body.

Greeks vs. Trojans, 9 Years Pass

Jan 1, 1003

As a side note, both the Greeks and the Trojans were fierce fighters throughout the Trojan War. The heroes of the two countries were Hector and Achilles, of Troy and Greece, respectively. Much to the dismay of themselves and those around them, it was predicted that they woud die young in the war. Since the Greeks landed on the shore of Troy, nine years pass.

Fight Between Achilles and Agamemnon

Jan 1, 1004

After the nine years of little to no fighting occurring between the Greeks and the Trojans, a fight breaks out between Achilles and Agamemnon. As it is, the Greeks carried off Chryseis, daughter of Apollo's priest, for the latter. He refused to let her go, so the priest prayed to Phoebus Apollo, who shot down fiery arrows and made the Greek army sick and numerous dead.

Achilles Calls Meeting of the Chieftains

Jan 1, 1005

Achilles told the chieftains who he called to the meeting that they could not keep going through the war as they are and that they had to figure out a way to appease Apollo. Calchas the soothsayer said that Chryseis needed to be returned, something that was agreed to unanimously.

Agamemnon Crosses Achilles

Jan 1, 1006

After the return of Chryseis, Agamemnon sent for Achilles' prized woman, Briseis. When the two fetchers arrived at his camp, Achilles then made them listen to him vow that Agamemnon would be severely punished for his actions and desires.

Achilles Turns to Thetis for Council, Thetis Turns to Zeus

Jan 1, 1007

Thetis tells Achilles that he should have nothing to with the Greeks because of Agamemnon. After, Thetis goes to Zeus and requests that he give victory to the Trojans.

Zeus agrees to Trojan victory, devises a plan

Jan 1, 1008

Zeus understands that the Greeks are nothing without Achilles, and he sends Helen to the Trojans to talk all about Greek heroes.

Hera plots against the Trojans, wants to give the Greeks victory

Jan 1, 1008

As the title says, Hera plots to give the Greeks victory and sets out to find ways to sabotage the Trojans. This is a result of Zeus agreeing to give victory to the Trojans upon request of Thetis.

Paris and Menelaus fight

Apr 13, 1009

After Helen spins tales to the Trojans about the Greek heroes, the battle ceases; both sides draw back, and it becomes apparent that Paris and Menelaus are about to face off. During the fighting, Menelaus is almost able to drag Paris back to Greece, but Aphrodite breaks his helmet strap and causes it to come off in Menelaus' hand. With this, Aphrodite brings Paris back to Troy.

Athena Interferes

Jan 1, 1010

Upon Hera's request, Athena interfered in the fighting. Menelaus would have been declared the victor in his fight with Paris and Helen would have gone back to Troy, but instead Athena urged Pandarus to shoot an arrow at Menelaus, wounding him and angering both sides of the Trojan War into starting up the fighting all over again.

Ajax and Diomedes take Achilles' place as top fighters for the Greeks.

Jan 1, 1011

Prince Aeneas, closest in bravery to Hector, was almost killed by Diomedes. His mother Aphrodite came to console him, but Diomedes hurt her hand because he knew she was weak. Aphrodite let Aeneas fall through and fled to Olympus where Zeus mused that she was not one for war and that she should instead stay home. Through it all, Aeneas is not killed.

Diomedes meets Hector, fighting ensues

Jan 1, 1012

It is actually Ares, the God of War, who is fighting for Hector. Hera gets wind of this and so she goes to help drive Ares away. When Diomedes then throws a spear, it is driven into Ares' body by Athena. Ares goes to Zeus to complain about what happened and was told to quit whining. Consequently, the Trojans are forced to fall back with the loss of Ares.

Hector goes to see wife and son

Jan 1, 1013

When he arrives, his wife tells him to stay with her and not make her a widow, but he denies her wishes and instead goes to hug his son who is scared of his helmet, so he takes it off in order to say goodbye to the ones he loves.

Zeus remembers his promise to Thetis to avenge Achilles' wrongs

Jan 1, 1014

Zeus tells all the immortals to stay away from the fighting and goes himself to help the Trojans. With Zeus' help, they drive the Greeks almost all the way back to their ships.

Agamemnon attemps reconciliation with Achilles

Jan 1, 1015

Agamemnon sends Odysseus and two messengers to make the offer of Briseis as well as many gifts to Achilles in order for his forgiveness. Achilles completely refuses and tells them that they should do as he is going to do and sail back home. The Greeks brush off this advice and instead go to fight, thus being driven onto the beaches where their ships were waiting. Hera then makes herself so beautiful that she makes Zeus forget about his promise to Thetis.

Battle turns in favor of the Greeks

Jan 1, 1016

Ajax almost kills Hector, but Aeneas takes him away. Also, the Greeks drive the Trojans back very far and would have ruined them and Troy had Zeus not woken up from his slumber induced by Hera's beauty.

The Trojan War turns against the Greeks once more

Jan 1, 1017

Hera claims that everything that happened while Zeus was unconscious was Poseidon's doing. Zeus then asked Poseidon to stop helping the Greeks; he obeyed. In the wake of these new events, the Trojans rally back.

Trojans push the Greeks farther back than before.

Jan 1, 1018

Apollo revives Hector after his near death experience at the hands of Ajax while the Greeks are again driven back to their ships.

Patroclus reaches out to Achilles

Jan 1, 1019

Patroclus goes to Achilles and tells him that he must go to fight rather than allow the Greek to die on the almost burning ships. Achilles refuses, but gives him his shield and armor as well as control over the fighters. All was well and going smoothly until Patroclus faced Hector. Hector drove a spear into Patroclus giving him a mortal wound. Subsequently, Patroclus' soul was sent to the Underworld.

Achilles vows to end Hector, seeks out his mother's help

Jan 1, 1020

Achilles goes to his mother after receiving word of Patroclus' death. He already knows that he is going to die directly after Hector, but that is the least of his worries. Thetis then gives Achilles the best armor ever to be worn by a mortal.

Achilles goes to avenge Patroclus' death

Jan 1, 1020

Achilles goes to his men and tells them of the coming events. While they eat, drink, and be merry while preparing for the fight to come, Achilles refuses all that is offered to him by his men. Achilles led the attack on the Trojans; Zeus had predicted based upon his scales that Hector would be the one to die in the approaching face off.

Hector's funeral

Jan 1, 1021

Hector's father went to Achilles to get his body with gifts. Upon his arrival, Achilles felt grief and guilt for the way he mutilated Hector's body and gave his funeral quite magnificently.

Hector faces his fate.

Jan 1, 1021

Ignoring his parents' plea to go to safety, Hector waits at the gates of Troy for Achilles. When Achilles arrives with Athena, he fleas and is chased until halted by Athena. Disguised as Hector's brother Deiphobus, Athena tricks him into going back to face Achilles with a false ally. He is killed by Achilles who strips him of his armor, straps his feet to his chariot, and rides around Troy's walls with Hector's body dragging; the gods are angered by the unnecessary abuse.

Achilles' death

Jan 1, 1022

Achilles knew that his death was near with the ending of Hector's life at his own hands. In his last battle, he killed Memnon, a warrior equal to Achilles' skill. When Thetis had dipped him in the river Styx, she had missed the heel that she was holding him by, thus leaving that part of his body vulnerable. He was struck in that same heel by an arrow that Paris shot. His Achilles heel was quite literally the death of him. Also, Ajax killed himself because of the armor Achilles gave him.

Helenus reveals a key to Trojan War

Jan 1, 1023

Helenus, a prophet, was captured by Odysseus due to his knowledge of the future. He revealed to the Greek's that Troy would not fall unless someone fought with the bow and arrow of Hercules. As it turns out, Prince Philoctetes had the bow and arrow combination, and had joined the Greek voyage when sailing to Troy. He was bitten by a sea serpent and would not heal though, so he was left at Lemnos.

Helenus reveals a key to Trojan War (cont.)

Jan 1, 1023

Odysseus went back for the weapons, and after tricking Philoctetes into giving them to him, he makes him go back to the Greek fleet. Also, Paris is injured in the first battle and went to Oenone, but he refused to heal him and instead killed herself.

Stealing the Palladium

Jan 1, 1024

The Palladium, being another key to the Trojan War, was something that Troy had to be without if the Greeks were going to attempt a victory. One night, Odysseus and Diomedes ventured out and took it, bringing it back to camp with them.

Taking Troy by surprise (2nd cont.)

Jan 1, 1025

Trojans begin to fight back after being woken. The Greeks broke down the palace doors. Achilles spared King Priam, but his son killed Priam's wife and daughters in front of him.

Taking Troy by surprise

Jan 1, 1025

Odysseus knew that the Greeks had to implement a surprise attack approach to taking down Troy. With this understanding, he had a large hollow horse constructed. His plan was that the chieftains would hide in it and go to Troy while the others would break camp and falsely appear as if they were going to sail back home out to sea. One Greek was left behind and his name was Sinon. He spun a tale to the Trojans about how he did not want to be a Greek anymore and how he was left to give them this

Taking Troy by surprise (cont.)

Jan 1, 1025

horse as a gift. The Trojans pitied Sinon and believed his story, but Priest Laocoon was wary of such a thing, so when he voiced his concerns, Poseidon sent two sea serpents to go and kill him in order to silence the protests and further the plan. After witnessing what had happened to Laocoon the Trojans allowed the horse into the city. At nightfall, the Greek chieftains emerged from the horse and threw open the city doors granting their army access to Troy. A brutal attack ensues, and the

Aeneas flees Troy, last leader alive

Jan 1, 1026

Aeneas went to save his family; able to save his father and son, but his wife became separated from the group and killed in the flames ignited by the Greeks. Aphrodite helped him; she also helped Helen to escape and took her to Menelaus.

Troy in ruins, Andromache faced with an awful fate

Jan 1, 1027

With Troy destroyed, Andromache still had her son Astyanax. When she was told she had to throw her son from a tower, she did so.

The Trojan War comes to an end

Jan 1, 1028

At the end of the Trojan War, Hecuba's daughter Polyxena was killed on Achilles' grace. With this, the fighting ceased completely.