The Trojan War The Trojan War was a battle between the Greeks and Trojans, who were from Troy. Troy is located in present day Turkey. Achilles was a great warrior for the Greeks, and when he was born, his mother dipped him in the River Styx, whose waters brought on immunity to wounds or injuries where it had touched. But, she was holding him by the heel, and so the heel was not touched by the water's divine power. This would later cause his dreadful end, and forever be called the Achilles' heel. A battle had just been won by the Greeks and all the participating warriors received spoils, which were treasures stolen from the losers. These included treasure and girls. Now King Agamemnon, who was at the battlefield, wanted a girl who Achilles had gotten, named Breisis. He asked Achilles for her and Achilles refused. Now King Agamemnon was not about to give up. He sent a messenger to fetch Breisis and take her to him. Achilles made no effort to take Breisis back, saying that he would simply not battle for the Greeks until she was returned. And this he did. He simply sulked in his tent. Eventually, his friend Patrolocus came and pleaded for him to give up his anger with King Agamemnon, and he brought the message that Agamemnon would give him rich reward if he did so. But Achilles still refused, and so, as a last resort Patrolcus begged to wear Achilles' armor and fight in his place. Hector of Troy killed Patroclus on the battlefield. This stimulated Achilles to realize how stubborn and stupid he was being and he went out to fight and to avenge Patrolcus' death. This he did, but a prophecy said that he would die soon after he killed his enemy. And this prophecy came true. The same Trojan shepherd, Paris, who had started this great war, now aimed a poisoned arrow at Achilles' heel. It hit its mark perfectly, and when Achilles' took the arrow out, blood was gushing. He soon died. Another more famous encounter is known as the Trojan Horse. The Greeks had a messenger bring a hollow wooden horse into Troy as a sign of a short truce gift. But the horse was really filled with Greek soldiers. The messenger had to eliminate any doubt in the Trojans' minds that it was safe, otherwise they would burn it. In this he succeeded, and the Trojans went to bed feeling safe. When all the Trojans were asleep, the messenger opened the door on the horse and out flowed Greek soldiers. They burned Troy down to ashes, thus ending the Trojan War. But for some, the journey home would not be as easy. |
