Trojan War: Key Events, Heroes, and Divine Influence in Greek Mythology

What event sparked the Trojan War?

The Judgment of Paris, where Paris chose Venus over Juno and Minerva.

Who is Helen and why is she significant?

Helen is the wife of King Menelaus and her abduction by Paris triggers the Trojan War.

What role did Venus play in the Trojan War?

Venus promised Helen to Paris, leading to his abduction of her and the subsequent conflict.

Who leads the Greek forces in the Trojan War?

Agamemnon commands the Greek fleet.

What was the duration of the Greek preparation for war?

The Greeks prepared for 10 years before launching their attack on Troy.

What divine act temporarily halted the Greek journey to Troy?

The killing of Artemis's deer caused divine displeasure.

How long did the siege of Troy last?

The siege lasted for nine years.

Name two famous Greek heroes involved in the Trojan War.

Achilles and Odysseus (Ulysses).

What clever strategy did Odysseus use to defeat Troy?

He devised the Trojan Horse, hiding soldiers inside a wooden horse.

What was the outcome of bringing the Trojan Horse into the city?

The Greeks emerged from the horse at night, opened the gates, and destroyed Troy.

What does the fall of Troy symbolize in terms of human perception?

It exemplifies hubris and the limits of human understanding.

What theme does the Trojan War illustrate regarding divine influence?

It shows that human success or failure often depends on divine favor.

What is the theme of fate versus free will in the Trojan War?

Humans act on their desires, but fate and divine plans ultimately guide outcomes.

How does love and desire play a role in the Trojan War?

The personal choices of Helen and Paris trigger monumental events leading to war.

Who are the major characters on the Trojan side?

Paris, Hector, Priam, and Aeneas.

What is the significance of Laocoön in the Trojan War?

He warns the Trojans about the horse but is killed, highlighting the theme of deception.

What does the Trojan Horse represent in the context of the war?

It demonstrates that intelligence and strategy can triumph over brute force.

What is a key takeaway from the Trojan War regarding the consequences of war?

The war leads to death, destruction, and suffering for all involved.

What overarching message does the Trojan War convey about pride and desire?

It shows how pride and desire can determine the fate of nations.

What is the role of Discordia (Eris) in the Trojan War?

She initiates the conflict by throwing the golden apple, leading to the Judgment of Paris.

What does the Trojan War illustrate about the nature of victory?

Victory can be illusory; even the mightiest city can fall to cleverness, not just strength.

The Judgment of Paris

Discordia (Eris), goddess of strife, throws the golden apple "Pulcherrimae" among the goddesses at a feast.

Key Characters in The Judgment of Paris

Juno, Minerva, and Venus all claim the golden apple.

Paris's Role

Jupiter chooses Paris, a Trojan prince and shepherd, to judge.

Bribes Offered by Goddesses

Juno offers wealth and power, Minerva offers wisdom and strategy, Venus offers the most beautiful woman alive (Helen of Sparta).

Outcome of the Judgment

Paris chooses Venus → sets stage for Helen's abduction.

Themes in The Judgment of Paris

Divine interference in human affairs, consequences of vanity and desire, fate versus free will.

Key Vocabulary - The Judgment of Paris

Mālum aureum = golden apple, Pulcherrima = most beautiful, Jūdicium = judgment.

Paris and Helen

Paris travels to Greece and meets Helen, wife of Menelaus.

Helen's Choice

Helen leaves Sparta willingly, following Paris to Troy.

Menelaus's Reaction

Menelaus gathers Greek leaders to reclaim her → forms a coalition of Greek kings and armies.

Characters in Paris and Helen

Paris: impulsive, driven by desire and pride; Helen: beautiful, influential; Menelaus: aggrieved husband, motivated by honor and revenge.

Themes in Paris and Helen

Love as a cause of war, individual choices have massive social/political consequences.

Key Vocabulary - Paris and Helen

Coniūnx = spouse, Desiderābat = desired, longed for.

Greek Preparation for War

Greeks prepare for war under Agamemnon, gathering ships and soldiers for two years.

Agamemnon's Sacrifice

Agamemnon kills a deer sacred to Diana → goddess angry, halts winds.

Iphigenia's Role

Iphigenia, his daughter, must be sacrificed to gain favor of Diana.

Outcome of Iphigenia's Sacrifice

She is saved at the last moment by the goddess, winds become favorable → Greeks sail to Troy.

Themes in Greek Preparation for War

Divine demands and human sacrifice, fate vs. personal moral struggle, consequences of offending the gods.

Key Vocabulary - Greek Preparation for War

Sacrificia = sacrifices, Ventōs secundōs = favorable winds, Mandātum deae = command of the goddess.

The Siege of Troy

Greeks and Trojans fight for nine years.

Famous Greek Heroes

Achilles, Odysseus, Agamemnon, Menelaus.

Famous Trojan Heroes

Hector, Priam, Aeneas.

Hector's Death

Hector is killed by Achilles, and his body is dishonored → Trojans still resist.

Themes in The Siege of Troy

Heroism, bravery, and honor in warfare, personal revenge vs. collective duty, mortality and fate in battle.

Key Vocabulary - The Siege of Troy

Hastā = spear, Corpus Hectōris = Hector's body, Pūgnāvērunt = they fought.

The Trojan Horse

Odysseus (Ulixes) devises the Trojan Horse to enter Troy undetected.

Sinon's Deception

Sinon pretends the horse is a gift to Athena; Trojans argue, some suspect danger.

Laocoön's Warning

Laocoön warns them → killed by serpents from the sea (interpreted as a sign from gods).

Outcome of the Trojan Horse

Trojans bring the horse inside the walls → Greeks hidden inside emerge at night.

Themes in The Trojan Horse

Deception as a form of strategy, divine intervention validates or punishes human choices, overconfidence can lead to disaster.

Key Vocabulary - The Trojan Horse

Equus ligneus = wooden horse, Dōnum Minervae = gift to Minerva, Dolus = trick, deceit.

The Fall of Troy

Greeks emerge from the horse → slaughter the Trojans.

Destruction of Troy

The city is burned, looted, and abandoned.

Themes in The Fall of Troy

Hubris and overconfidence lead to ruin, the inevitability of fate, despite courage, war causes indiscriminate death.

Key Vocabulary - The Fall of Troy

Caedēs = slaughter, Undique erat clāmor = everywhere was shouting, Mors = death.

Key Lessons & Themes Across the Passages

Divine Influence, Fate vs Free Will, Love & Desire, Heroism, Deception & Strategy, Hubris & Overconfidence, Human Cost of War.

Suggested Study Tips

Timeline: Track the story from Judgment of Paris → Abduction of Helen → Greek gathering → Siege → Trojan Horse → Fall of Troy.

Character Map Study Tip

Know who fought for whom and their divine patrons.

Latin Vocabulary Study Tip

Focus on war-related terms (pūgnāvērunt, arma, corpus, caedēs) and divine terms (dēae, sacer, mandātum).

Cause & Effect Study Tip

Note how small decisions lead to major consequences (e.g., Paris's choice → Helen's abduction → 10-year war → Troy's fall).