School of Flavius
What else did Roman children learn?
History and Literature Historical information was often put into poetic or narrative format for easy memorization. There weren’t many books in ancient times. This narrative history is called Epic Poetry.
What is an Epic? Epics are long, narrative poems that tell the adventures of heroes who in some way embody the values of their civilization.
Modern Day Epics Star Wars Forrest Gump The Hobbit Lord of the Rings Wizard of Oz
What EPICS will we learn about? Iliad – War Epic Odyssey – Journey Aeneid – War Epic and Journey
Homer Homer is said to be the first teller of adventures of all times. He was not the first author because in his day stories were passed down---they were told. He was a blind man whose date of birth is unknown.
The Iliad by Homer Click Me The Illiad means “a poem about Ilium” (I.e. Troy) Click Me
Eris, Goddess of Discord Angry because she had not been invited to the wedding of the Sea Goddess Thetis to King Peleus, Eris tossed the Golden Apple marked “To the Fairest” into their wedding banquet.
The Fairest Aphrodite, Hera, and Athena wanted the apple Zeus would not choose; he did not want the goddesses angry with him Paris, the Trojan, was asked to make the decision
The Decision Hera offered to make Paris ruler of Europe and Asia Athena offered him military glory Aphrodite offered him the most beautiful woman in the world
Paris Chooses Aphrodite The most beautiful woman in the world at this time is Helen, the wife of King Menelaus of Sparta Aphrodite helps Paris kidnap Helen
The Beginning of War King Menelaus called on all those who were loyal to him. He gathered a huge army, and built a thousand ships to carry the army to Troy Helen of Sparta was now called “Helen of Troy” She was “The face that launched a thousand ships”
The Trojan War The battle raged for 10 years Many great heroes lost their lives, including the famed warrior Achilles.
The Trojan Horse In the last year of the war, Odysseus tells the men to build a huge horse of wood. Some would climb inside and hide. The rest would sail away from Troy, where they could not be seen.
The Fall of Troy CLICK ME The Trojans believed the horse was a peace offering. They had a huge banquet to celebrate the end of the war. At night, the men from inside the horse came out and unlocked the gates to the city. CLICK ME
The Burning of Troy The city is invaded by the army. The Trojans are drunk and spent from their night of revelry, unable to fight back. The Greeks destroy and burn the city. Aphrodite saves Helen from the destruction.
The War Ends King Menelaus accepts Helen back. The Warriors can now return home.
The Greeks Menelaus – King of Sparta Menelaus is married to Helen Agamemnon, the commander-and-chief of the Greek fleet, is the brother of Menelaus
Helen Helen is the wife of Menelaus and Queen of Sparta Helen is also the daughter of Zeus Helen was rumored to be the most beautiful woman in the world at that time
Agamemnon King of Mycenae Commander of the Greek armed forces He set sail with his brother Menelaus and many others to bring Helen back from Troy
Achilles Son of the sea nymph Thetis Leader of the Myrmidons Having been dipped in the River Styx, he was virtually invincible—except for his heel!
Patroclus He was the cousin and companion of Achilles He fought with Achilles and the Myrmidons
Odysseus King of Ithaca He was a great warrior, and he was also know for his intelligence and war strategy
Priam King of Troy He supposedly had 50 sons!
The Trojans Hector and Paris Sons of King Priam Hector was the eldest son of Priam Hector was the best Trojan warrior Paris took Helen from Sparta