The Trojan War

Eris Seeks Revenge

Jan 1, 1183

The evil goddess of discord, Eris, was the only one of all the gods and goddesses to not be invited to the wedding of King Peleus and the sea nymph Thetis. To get revenge she threw an apple into the banquet hall marked "For the Fairest" knowing that the goddesses would all fight over the apple. The contest for the fairest goddess was narrowed down to Aphrodite, Athena, and Hera, and it was determined that a young prince named Paris would be the final judge.

The Judgment of Paris

Jan 1, 1183

All three goddeses went to Mount Ida, where Paris lived, so he could determine the winner. Mount Ida was a mountain just outside the city of Troy. Paris had been sent there to do shepherd's work because his father King Priam had been warned that Paris would one day ruin his country. He was living with a nymph called Oenone.

The Judgment of Paris

Jan 1, 1183

Rather than have Paris decide who he believed was the fairest, the goddesses each offered him a bribe. Hera promised to make him Lord of Europe and Asia, Athena promised that he would lead the Trojans in a victory against the Greeks that would leave Greece in ruins, and Aphrodite promised him the fairest woman in the world. Paris accepted Aphrodite's offer declaring her the winner of the contest. This decision is what many see as the reason behind the Trojan War.

Paris Takes Helen to Troy

Feb 1, 1184

Helen was the fairest woman in the land, but she was already with a man called Menelaus. Aphrodite brought Paris to Menelaus' house as a guest. They managed to lure Menelaus away and when he came back, Helen was gone. Paris had taken Helen to Troy.

Menelaus Gathers an Army to Retrieve Helen

Jan 1, 1185

Menelaus went to the Greeks for help. All of the chieftains were eager to help except for the two main heroes, Odysseus and Achille- Odysseus, because he thought it was silly to start a huge fight over a girl and Achilles, because he knew he would die there. They both constructed plans to avoid going but were discovered and reluctantly joined the Greek Fleet. The fleet was all set to sail but then strong winds made it impossible to move.

The Sacrifice of Iphigenia

Jan 1, 1185

It was determined that Artemis was causing the winds because she was upset that a Greek had slain one of her precious hares. She demanded that the Commander in Chief, Agamemnon, sacrifice his daughter Iphigenia to stop the winds. To accomplish this Agamemnon sent for his daughter pretending that she was going to marry Achilles. When she arrived for her wedding she was sacrificed. With the winds out of the way, the Greeks set sail for Troy.

The Greeks Arrive at Troy

Jul 1, 1185

The Greeks arrived at Troy after an ocean voyage. Protesilaus went ashore first despite a prophecy that the first to set foot on land would die. He was seen as a hero for this action. Going into the war both the Greeks and the Trojans had strong armies. The Greeks had Odysseus and Achilles and the Trojans had the great warrior Hector. However, both Achilles and Hector knew they were going to die in the impending war.

9 Years Pass

Jan 1, 1186

The fighting went back and forth for 9 years with no side gaining an advantage.

Fight Between Achilles and Agamemnon

Apr 1, 1186

After 9 slow years the tide turned to the Trojans for a time when a fight between Achilles and Agamemnon broke out. Agamemnon had taken Apollo's priest's daughter, Chryseis, and refused to return her. This upset Apollo so he shot fiery arrows at the Greek army that caused sickness and death throughout the army. Achilles called a meeting saying that they either had to appease Apollo or go home.

Agamemnon Takes Briseis from Achilles

May 15, 1186

It was determined that Agamemnon had to return Chryseis. To replace her, he took Achilles' maiden Briseis. Achilles swore that he would pay for what he had done.

Achilles Turns to Thetis Who Turns to Zeus

Jan 1, 1187

Achilles asked his mother Thetis, the sea nymph, what to do. She wanted him not to have anything to do with the Greeks. She turned to Zeus for help and asked him to give victory to the Trojans. At first Zeus was reluctant to get involved but when Hera plotted to help the Greeks, Zeus agreed to help the Trojans in spite of her.

The Olympians Are Split Over the War

Oct 1, 1187

The war also caused arguments between the gods and goddesses. Aphrodite took the side of Paris and the Trojans while Hera and Athena, still bitter, took the side of the Greeks. Ares also took the Trojans'side because he always took Aphrodite's side. Poseidon went with the Greeks because they were sea people and good sailors. Apollo and Artemis both sided with the Trojans.

Paris vs. Menelaus

Jan 1, 1188

Zeus knew that the Greeks would be nothing without Achilles. He sent Diana to the Trojans to tell stories about Greek heroes. After hearing the stories both armies stepped back leaving Paris and Menelaus against each other alone. They battled and Menelaus would have won if Aphrodite hadn't stepped in to save Paris. Achilles spent the whole battle in his tent.

Peace is Almost Achieved

May 15, 1188

Since Aphrodite took him away no one could find Paris. The sides were about to declare Menelaus the victor by default and have Helen returned. However, Hera and Athena intervened by persuading a Trojan to shoot Menelaus with an arrow breaking the truce. Although Menelaus was only slightly injured this action angered the Greeks so much that the war was back on.

With Achilles Gone, Ajax and Diomedes Take Over as Champions of the Army

Dec 1, 1188

Diomedes came face to face with Hector, who had Ares fighting alongside him. When Diomedes realized this he told the Greeks to slowly fall back, but then Hera and Athena intervened once again by giving Diomedes the courage to stab Ares. This wounded him causing him to go back to Olympus. Without Ares, the Trojans had to fall back.

Zeus Comes Down to Earth to Help Trojans

Jul 1, 1189

Zeus arrived on Earth to help the Trojan cause ordering all other gods and goddesses to stay in Olympus. Without Achilles and with Zeus's help the Trojans almost drove the Greeks back to their ships. The Greeks decided that in order to win they had to get Achilles fighting for them once again. They tried offering to give him back Briseis and give him gifts but Achilles refused to be bought. He said that they should all go home. The Greeks continued to get pushed further back and almost lose.

Hera Intervenes

Dec 1, 1189

Hera knew that the Greeks had no chance if Zeus was fighting for the Trojans. To get rid of Zeus she made herself so attractive that she distracted him. Then she lured him into a deep sleep. While Zeus was asleep the tide turned towards the Greeks. They injured Hector and he had to be taken away from battle. When Zeus eventually woke up Hera blamed the whole thing on Poseidon so he wouldn't punish her.

Death of Pachoclus

Feb 1, 1190

With Zeus back in the picture the Trojans were successful once again. They almost burned the Greek fleet down and the Greek army had pretty much given hope. Then Pachoclus put Achilles armor on and led the army in his place. He led a valiant charge but then he was fatally wounded by Hector. Hector stole Achilles armor from his body. Achilles was so upset over the death that he vowed to take back control and get revenge on Hector.

Hector vs. Athena and Achilles

Aug 1, 1190

The two armies fought each other with Hector and Achilles at the lead. The battle was turning to the Greek's favor but Hector was willing to fight to the end even if it meant his own death. Hector found himself face to face with Achilles and Athena. They chased him around the Wall of Troy 3 times and then Athena lured Hector into an alley alone with Achilles.

Hector's Death

Dec 1, 1190

Hector and Achilles proceeded to battle. Hector fought well but it was futile because the armor Achilles had received was impossible to pierce. Hector finally charged with his sword at Achilles but since Hector was wearing Achille's old armor Achilles was aware of an opening by the throat. Achilles was waiting with a dagger that went straight through the armor and killed Hector. Everyone gawked at Hector's body as Achilles
paraded it around Troy.

Priam Visits Achilles

Mar 1, 1191

Hector's father Priam visited Achilles after Hector's death. He shook his hand and offered him gifts. This guesture made Achilles feel guilty for what he had done so he gave Hector a proper funeral. He also ceased fighting long enough for the Trojans to mourn.

Death of Achilles

Oct 1, 1191

As prophesied Hector's death meant Achilles was next. Achilles had one last great battle before his death, in which he killed Memnon. Then he came face to face with Paris. Paris with Apollo's guidance shot Achilles in his one weak spot, his heel. Achilles mother Thetis had dipped him in the River Styx when he was born so he would be invincible. However the part of his ankle where she was holding him didn't touch the water so she left a weak spot. Achilles died from the arrow.

Ajax's Suicide

Jan 1, 1192

When Achilles died a vote took place to see whether Ajax or Odysseus would receive his armor. Odysseus won and Ajax was so ashamed that he vowed to kill Agamemnon and Menelaus who he blamed for turning the vote against him. On his way to do this Athena struck him with madness. In his mental state he killed sacred flocks and herds of the Army. When Odysseus beat him back into saneness he was so ashamed that he killed himself.

Death of Paris

Apr 1, 1192

With two great heroes dead and no messages from the gods the Greek's spirits were down. They captured a Trojan prophet who told them that Troy wouldn't fall unless someone fought against them with Hercules' bow and arrow. The Greeks retrieved the arrows. Paris was shot with the arrows. He went back to the nymph that he used to live with to be healed. However she was mad at him for abandoning her so she watched Paris die and then killed herself.

Athena's Portait

Aug 1, 1192

The Greeks then received word that the only way they could be victorious against the Trojans was if they got possesion of a sacred image of Athena that was in Troy. They knew the only way they could get into Troy was to take the Trojans by surprise.

The Trojan Horse

Feb 1, 1193

In order to get into Troy the Greeks carried out a plan made by Odysseus. They construced a huge wooden horse which the chieftains hid inside. The rest of the army hid at a nearby island out of the Trojans' view. When the Trojans saw the horse they assumed that the Greeks had given up and went home. A Greek named Sinon convinced them that if they would earn Athena's favor if they dragged the horse into the city. So they brought the horse into Troy and proceeded to celebrate their victory.

The Greeks Attack

May 1, 1193

While the Trojans celebrated what appeared to be the end of a 10 year war, the Greeks waited in the horse. When night came they snuck out of the horse and burned Troy before the Trojans even realized what was going on. The Greeks let the rest of their army in and proceeded to slaughter the Trojans. The Trojans made a valiant effort to fight back but were caught so off guard that it was practically useless. Aphrodite
brought Helen safely back to Menelaus.

The Greeks Emerge Victorious

Sep 1, 1193

The Trojans fought bravely to the death but when morning came all that was left of Troy were captive Trojan women. The last thing the Greek army did was sacrifice Hector's son. Then they left for home victorious. There was nothing left of the once great city of Troy.