Ancient Greek Wars

Trojan War

Dates & Opposition Dates: Circa 1193 to 1183 BC Opponents: Greece v. Troy

Major Events & Facts Mythology: “Apple of Discord,” Helen of Troy May have been caused by an economic rivalry

Does she seriously think she can compete with a true goddess like me? Are you jealous sister? I married a mighty Spartan King AND I have a prince drooling over me? Zeus Helen Aphrodite

Hera Aphrodite Athena Eris How DARE I don’t get invited to the biggest party ever! I’ll show them. {EVIL LAUGH} Eris

Umm…ok! Paris Zeus! I demand that you give this golden apple to the fairest goddess! No way! I’m not that stupid! Paris, you pick! Eris Zeus

? Pick me! I’ll provide you with great military strength! Pick me! I’ll make the most beautiful woman fall in love with you! Pick me! I’ll provide you with great power! Hera Aphrodite Athena

I choose Aphrodite so I can have a beautiful woman! Luckily for Paris, Aphrodite kept her promise. Paris & Helen left Greece and traveled to Troy to live happily ever after!!! Until… Helen Paris

King Menelaus of Sparta & his brother King Agamemnon of Mycenae OMG! Helen has been kidnapped by Paris! Brother, join me & the other kings of Greece. We will set sail for Troy with 1,000 ships tomorrow! I WILL get my woman back! I want to come too. I just hope my weak heel doesn’t cause any problems. King Menelaus of Sparta & his brother King Agamemnon of Mycenae Achilles

Hector (Paris’ Brother in Troy) Brother, I seem to have started a war with the Greeks…will you come to my defense? I AM the greatest of the Trojan warriors. Those Greeks are no match for the brave men of Troy! I’m off to kill some Greeks! Hector (Paris’ Brother in Troy)

Achilles is Victorious! Patroclus is DEAD!?!? He thinks he can get away with killing my cousin? I’ll show him! Achilles (Greece) I’m dead!!  One-On-One Battle… Achilles is Victorious! Hector (Troy)

Me??...Bye, Bye Achilles!!! MUAHAHA! Paris Remember Me??...Bye, Bye Achilles!!! MUAHAHA! I’m dead!!  Achilles (Greece)

I have a plan…. It’s a little risky, but I think it will work! Odysseus We’ve been at this for years and can’t Get past those walls. Now what?

Major Events & Facts Greeks traveled to Troy by 1000 ships 10 year siege; first 9 years uneventful Major Figures: Hector, Achilles, Odysseus

Winner Winner: Greece Burned Troy to the ground

Persian War

Dates & Opposition Dates: 499 – 448 BC Opponents: Greece v. Persia

Major Events & Facts For hundreds of years Greek people had lived in Ionia 546 BC: Persians conquered Ionia Ionian Greeks revolted; received aid from mainland Greeks

Major Events & Facts Important Battles: Battle of Marathon Battle of Thermopylae Battle of Salamis

Winner Winner: Greeks Athenians take credit for the victory; form the Delian League

Peloponnesian War

Dates & Opposition Dates: 431 – 404 BC Opponents: Athens v. Sparta

Major Events & Facts Civil war Different strengths; evenly matched WHY? Athens – SEA POWER Sparta – LAND POWER

Major Events & Facts Eventually the Spartans were able to trap the Athenians against the sea 404 BC: Sparta captured Athens Refused to burn it to the ground WHY?

Winner Winner: Sparta Ended Athenian domination of the Greek world