The City of Troy has an uncertain past, but for sure, it was founded by Ilos, son of Zeus and Electra. Ilos drove a cow across the plains until it collapsed, and at that location he built the city of Troy. That same night, a statue of a goddess fell from Olympus into the city. It was the Palladion, and as long as it was in the city, Troy would never fall. Ilos had a son, Laomedon, who later succeeded him. When the gods, Poseidon and Apollo, rebelled against Zeus near the beginning of time, Zeus punished them by later turning them into servants of King Laomedon for a period of time. The king, during this brief period, commanded the two to build walls for the city, which no enemy could ever breach. The two gods, not wanting to endow invulnerability to the city, had a section of the wall built weaker than the rest, the only part of the wall liable to attack.

The king, Laomedon was happy with the job, but when payment was due, he conveniently hid inside the city and refused payment, thinking that the walls would hold fast. Poseidon and Apollo were enraged, and they returned to Mount Olympus in a huff. Revenge was finally meted out to King Laomedon later when he tried to trick the hero, Herakles. Herakles stormed through the vulnerable section of the city walls, and killed Laomedon. Troy was left under the rule of Laomedon's baby son: Priam. Time passed, and Priam grew up, and had himself a son, Paris.

Then came the wedding of the gods, Thetis and Peleus. A golden apple was rolled between the goddesses Aphrodite, Athene and Hera, on it written 'for the fairest'. Each goddess wanting the apple for themselves, approached Zeus, who directed them to Paris, who was mortal and would thus be able to see clearer. Paris did not wish to offend any of the goddesses, and refused to judge, until he was threatened by Hera, and so he finally agreed.

The goddess' took their turn before Paris in private, and each one would offer Paris a bribe for his vote. Hera offered Paris royal power and Athene offered him wisdom. But Paris was finally swayed by Aphrodite's offer, the most beautiful woman in the world, Queen Helen of Sparta. Hera and Athene were furious, but there was nothing they could do. So to fulfill her promise, Aphrodite brought Paris to Greece. Helen was made to fall in love with Paris, and together they left for Troy.

The Greeks felt violated at the departure of their Queen, and many Greek princes like Aias, Diomedes and Nestor gathered to form a fleet of ships to attack Troy. Achilles had other considerations, though. Achilles was the child of Zeus and Thetis, and Thetis had made Achilles immortal by dipping him into the River Styx: the river that marked the boundary of the underworld. Knowing from prophecies that Achilles would die if he fought in the war, she tried to hide it from him, but he finally found out and he too joined the fleet along with Odysseus. Finally the contingent was ready to set out from Greece to attack Troy.

They had many obstacles and casualties along the way, but finally they reached Troy. On landing, they were attacked by defending soldiers. Achilles leapt off the ship and ran straight at the oncoming arrows unhurt, for his skin was immortal. He cleared the soldiers' encampment, and the Greeks proceeded to land safely on the shore and set up camp. The Siege of Troy had begun.

The war was not going to be a quick one, as Zeus had planned. The power on each side was perfectly balanced, with equal armies and heroes on both sides. Even the gods were split, with the spurned Hera and Athene, helping the Greeks against Paris, and with Ares and Apollo giving aid to Troy. Furthermore, Troy and Greece were not alone in the war. Allies from all around helped Troy attack the Greeks, while the Greeks themselves diffused their attention on Troy by pillaging nearby islands. At times, the gods were personally involved in the war, like Aphrodite who went raiding with her son, Aeneas. Diomedes attacked Aeneas, but Aphrodite took part of the blow, injuring her wrist. They needed Apollo to save them later.

After ten long years, neither side had scored any major victory. Agamemnon, the leader of the Greek contingent, grew weary, and gathered all his forces to concentrate on attacking Troy. With all the Greek leaders arriving outside the walls of Troy, there was much strife as quarrels between the heroes grew out of proportions. At one point, Achilles and Agamemnon had an argument, and eventually Achilles refused to fight for Greece anymore.

It was when the Trojans were gaining an upper hand, led by the hero Hector, that the gods decided to interfere again. Hera charmed Zeus to bed, as Poseidon guided a falling boulder, thrown by the Greek Hero Aias, towards Hector, whom it killed instantly. The Trojans retreated, and Zeus, realizing this, jumped out from bed and resurrected Hector, while warning Poseidon never to interfere again.

Next: The Seige Continues >>