Trojan War

The Gathering of Greek Armies

1250 BCE

King Menelaus, Helen’s husband, calls on the Greek kings to help retrieve her. Agamemnon, Menelaus' brother and king of Mycenae, becomes the leader of the Greek forces. Odysseus, Achilles, and other notable heroes join the campaign. The fleet is delayed, and Agamemnon sacrifices his daughter, Iphigenia, to appease Artemis and ensure favorable winds for their journey to Troy.

The Judgement of Paris

1250 BCE

The Trojan War begins when Paris, prince of Troy, is asked to judge who is the fairest among the goddesses Hera, Athena, and Aphrodite. Paris awards the title to Aphrodite, who promises him the love of Helen, the most beautiful woman in the world. This event sets the war in motion as Paris abducts Helen from Sparta, leading to Greek outrage.

The Siege of Troy Begins

1248 BCE

The Greeks land on the shores of Troy and lay siege to the city. The war continues for years with both sides suffering losses. Heroes like Achilles for the Greeks and Hector for the Trojans rise to prominence.

The Duel Between Paris and Menelaus

1241 BCE

In a temporary truce, Paris and Menelaus agree to duel for Helen’s hand. Menelaus wins the duel, but Paris is saved by the goddess Aphrodite, who spirits him away. The truce is broken, and the fighting resumes.

Achilles Withdraws from Battle

1240 BCE

Agamemnon and Achilles quarrel over a captured woman, Briseis. As a result, Achilles, the Greeks’ greatest warrior, withdraws from the fighting, leading to severe losses for the Greeks as Hector and the Trojans push them back.

The Death of Patroclus and Return of Achilles

1240 BCE

Achilles' close friend Patroclus dons Achilles' armor and leads the Greeks into battle in his place. Hector kills Patroclus, thinking he is Achilles. Devastated, Achilles returns to the battlefield, seeking vengeance.

The Death of Hector

1240 BCE

Achilles confronts Hector outside the walls of Troy and kills him in single combat. Achilles drags Hector’s body around the city in an act of defiance and mourning. This marks a turning point as Troy loses its greatest defender.

The Death of Achillies

1239 BCE

Paris, aided by the god Apollo, shoots Achilles with an arrow that strikes his only vulnerable spot—his heel. Achilles' death is a significant blow to the Greeks, though they continue the war.

The Trojan Horse and the Fall of Troy

1238 BCE

Odysseus devises the plan of the Trojan Horse. The Greeks pretend to leave, leaving behind a massive wooden horse as a supposed offering to the gods. The Trojans bring the horse inside the city, and at night, Greek soldiers emerge from the horse and open the gates for the Greek army, leading to the destruction of Troy.

The Sack of Troy and Aftermath

1238 BCE

Troy is sacked and destroyed, with most of the Trojan leaders killed. The surviving Trojans, including Aeneas, flee. The Greeks commit sacrilege by desecrating temples, especially Athena’s, leading to divine retribution on their journey home. The war ends with Greece victorious, but many Greek leaders, including Agamemnon and Odysseus, face tragic fates after the war.