Prelude to the Trojan War

Leda and the Swan Leda – married to King Tyndareus, King of Sparta Eurotas River Son of Cronos (Zeus) Birth of 1st set of twins from the egg (Helen & Polydeuces) Birth of 2nd set of twins (Clytaimestra & Castor)

Helen’s Youth Great beauty from birth on Word of her beauty spread through Greece Kidnapped by Theseus when 12 Put in the care of his mother due to her age and his Rescued by her brothers, Polydeuces and Castor King Tyndareus now alarmed at what the future could hold as her beauty grew Helen’s beauty brought great grief to the kingdom. How does he contain the suitors, keep conflicts down, and peace in his kingdom and among the suitors?

Resolution of Tyndareus’s dilemma regarding suitors Required each suitor to swear to the below oath: “Regardless of whom Tyndareus’s daughter takes for husband, him will I defend. Should ever anyone lay hands upon her and spirit her away, I vow here- by to march against that man with all my forces and lay his city, be it Greek or foreign, in utter ruin” (Richardson, 206).

Suitors Odysseus Diomedes Antilochos Ajax and Teucros Patroclos Menelaos brother of Agamemnon, king of Mycenai (who was already married to Cytaimestra, Helen’s sister)

Outcome Tyndareus required all sign the oath and swear to honor his choice for Helen. Tyndareus chose Menelaos and after the wedding installed his new son-in-law as king of Sparta in his own stead.

Far across the Aigean Sea in the city of Troy…. Queen Hecabe, wife of Priam, King of Troy is also with child. It is close to the time of Leda and the Swan Troy is thriving and wealthy. Hecabe has a dream/vision in which that which is in womb is not a child, but fierce fire that destroys Troy. Hecabe shares her dream with King Priam.

Priam seeks the advice of a seer, who states that “the child will bring down the city!”. The seer advices Priam to kill the child before he is born. King Priam cannot bring himself to have his son killed so upon his birth the child is taken away and given to a herdsman, with the instructions that he is to leave the child on the hillside.

Five days later, the child is well and alive, believes the gods have spared the child for a reason. The herdsman takes the child and raises him as “Paris”. Paris grows to be tall and handsome, but lives as a herdsman.

Years earlier….A great wedding About the time that both Helen and Paris are born…

The Golden Apple The Judgment of Paris Marriage of King Peleus/sea nymph, Thetis Goddess of Discord – Eris – Not invited to the wedding Laughter, celebration, merriment, music, toasts, etc. Twelve Olympians present Throws Golden Apple “To the Fairest of all” Aphrodite, Hera, & Pallas Athena most powerful/seek the apple

Zeus refuses to make the judgment – as do the other gods Weeks, months, and years pass – no decision After twenty years – Zeus has enough Mount Ida near Troy – find Paris with sheep “Let him (Paris) judge whose the apple will be. Since I love you all equally, I must defer the decision to him. For my part I wish you all could win (p 208).

Paris’s Decision Son of King Priam, King of Troy Working as shepherd – predicted he would ruin his country Zeus commands him to chose the fairest of them Paris reluctant, but told he has no choice Paris demanded: “Let not the losers avenge themselves against me or my people” (p 209). All three goddesses agreed.

Hera - make him Lord of Europe and Asia. Athena – she would lead the Trojans to victory against the Greeks and lay Greece to ruins Aphrodite – that the fairest woman in all the world should be his. Paris: young – didn’t need or want what Hera & Athena offered, but did want a beautiful woman, so chose Aphrodite.

Paris in Troy Goes to Troy to participate in boxing and races. Competes against some of Priam’s sons Wins a footrace against one of Priam’s sons, who is humiliated that a common herdsman bested him. Pulls sword to kill Paris, but Agelaos, the herdman who raised Paris, runs to Priam, stating “Stop him! For the one he seeks to kill, great king, is also your son, though long thought dead” (p 212).

Cassandra, Priam & Hecabe Cassandra, prophetic daughter, confirms his identity King and Queen forget about her dream Joyous celebration and banquet Paris installed in the palace Soon after prepares to journey to Sparta Cassandra begs him not to go, claiming he will bring doom upon himself and Troy.

Paris & Helen Paris believes he is now entitled to her. Aphrodite encourages him Travels to Greece Welcomed as a foreign prince in the household of Menelaos and Helen;entertained royally for 9 days Tenth day, Menelaos must leave because his father has died Paris takes advantage of the time, seduces Helen, and sails off with her to Troy Menelaos declares war and calls upon those who swore the oath

Odysseus is Called Menelaus call upon all Greek kings & chieftains to help reclaim Helen & punish Paris & Troy All come willingly except Odysseus & Achilles Odysseus does not want to leave his house, wife, and family for a faithless woman

Odysseus’s Trick Odysseus, known for his shrewdness & clever ideas Pretends to be crazy and is plowing a field with salt instead of seed Shrewd messenger tests Odysseus by placing his son in front of the plow Odysseus turns the plow to avoid child and is discovered. He must join Menelaus.

The face that launched 1,000 ships All original suitors MUST join Menalaos 1, 000 ships in total sail with Menelaos and Agamemnon to destroy Troy and recapture Helen.

Trojan War Goes on for ten years Achilles, Ajax, Odysseus – some of the warriors Odysseus – known for guile – thinks up Trojan Horse Troy is destroyed Helen returns to Greece

Sailing home… Poseidon – favored Trojans All but Odysseus honored the gods for their victory Poseidon best suited to punish Odysseus

Works Cited Richardson, Donald. Greek Mythology for Everyone: Legends of the Gods and Heroes. New York: Prentice Hall Press, 1984.