The Trojan War, in Greek tradition, started as a way for Zeus to reduce the ever-increasing population of humanity and, more practically, as an expedition to reclaim Helen, wife of Menelaus, King of Sparta and brother of Agamemnon. ... Menelaos and the Greeks wanted her back and to avenge Trojan impudence.
What is the importance of the Trojan War to Greek culture?
The Trojan War gave the Greeks a better understanding of the gods and goddesses . The war stories encouraged the belief of one common religion.
Why was Troy important in ancient Greece?
The name Troy refers both to a place in legend and a real-life archaeological site. In legend, Troy is a city that was besieged for 10 years and eventually conquered by a Greek army led by King Agamemnon. The reason for this “Trojan War” was, according to Homer’s “Iliad,” the abduction of Helen, a queen from Sparta .
How did the Trojan War play a role in Greek mythology?
Trojan War, in Greek mythology, war between the Greeks and the people of Troy. The strife began after the Trojan prince Paris abducted Helen , wife of Menelaus of Sparta. When Menelaus demanded her return, the Trojans refused. Menelaus then persuaded his brother Agamemnon to lead an army against Troy.
What makes the story of the Trojan War an important part of ancient Greece’s legacy in the West?
The appearance of the Trojan War in Greek art, especially during the fifth century BC, suited many needs. Not only did the inclusion of the Trojan War serve as a way to help the Greeks remember the myths and history of their past, but it helped link the Greeks to a common enemy during the period of the Persian Wars .
Is Trojan War real?
For most ancient Greeks, indeed, the Trojan War was much more than a myth. It was an epoch-defining moment in their distant past. As the historical sources – Herodotus and Eratosthenes – show, it was generally assumed to have been a real event .
Who won Trojan War?
The Greeks won the Trojan War. According to the Roman epic poet Virgil, the Trojans were defeated after the Greeks left behind a large wooden horse and pretended to sail for home. Unbeknown to the Trojans, the wooden horse was filled with Greek warriors.
What is Troy called now?
The ancient city of Troy was located along the northwest coast of Asia Minor, in what is now Turkey .
What nationality were the Trojans?
The Trojans were people that lived in the city state of Troy on the coast of Turkey by the Aegean Sea, around the 12th or 13th Century BCE. We think they were of Greek or Indo-European origin , but no one knows for sure.
Who Killed Achilles?
Achilles is killed by an arrow, shot by the Trojan prince Paris . In most versions of the story, the god Apollo is said to have guided the arrow into his vulnerable spot, his heel. In one version of the myth Achilles is scaling the walls of Troy and about to sack the city when he is shot.
Did Helen love Paris?
Paris chose Aphrodite and therefore Helen. Helen was already married to King Menelaus of Sparta (a fact Aphrodite neglected to mention), so Paris had to raid Menelaus’s house to steal Helen from him – according to some accounts, she fell in love with Paris and left willingly.
How many died in the Trojan War?
epic about the last few weeks of the Trojan War, is full of death. Two hundred forty battlefield deaths are described in The Iliad, 188 Trojans, and 52 Greeks .
Which God started the Trojan War?
The Trojan War, in Greek tradition, started as a way for Zeus to reduce the ever-increasing population of humanity and, more practically, as an expedition to reclaim Helen, wife of Menelaus, King of Sparta and brother of Agamemnon.
How did the Trojan War make Greek culture?
how did the trojan war “make” greek culture? with so many greeks dying in the war, greece was easily conquered. the story of the war provided a common cultural heritage. the war made the greeks realize they needed to be united for protection . when odysseus returned, all of greece rallied around him.
Why did the Trojan War happen?
According to classical sources, the war began after the abduction (or elopement) of Queen Helen of Sparta by the Trojan prince Paris . ... They crossed the Aegean Sea to Asia Minor to lay siege to Troy and demand Helen’s return by Priam, the Trojan king.
Who is to blame for the Trojan War?
While Helen repeatedly acknowledges her role in igniting the conflict, other characters, such as Priam, refuse to blame her. The Greek gods – who are accused of staging this great conflict – and the Trojan prince Paris are also held responsible.
