The Iliad - by Homer 1200 B.C

w Homer w Greatest of the Greek poets 1,000 years B.C. Epic poems- 1st to make stories a unified whole Sung for entertainment Stories taught Greek ideals Blind, traveled to towns – well known, entertainment – like a concert today

Homer wrote - The Iliad The Odyssey Ilium- Greek for Troy Story of the Trojan War 10 years Fought over Helen of Troy The Odyssey Follows the Trojan War 10 years Odysseus’s journey to return to Greece A metaphor for every person’s journey through life. Most Greeks were familiar with these stories and the characters.

The Judgment of Paris

Wedding of Peleus and Thetis (grandson to Zeus and a sea nymph) Eris – goddess of discord, not invited Eris crashes party - starts trouble Golden apple – “To the fairest” Hera, Athena, Aphrodite – claim it It’s mine! Me! No, me!

Choose between my wife, daughter, and Aphrodite? Zeus – asked to judge No way! Choose between my wife, daughter, and Aphrodite? Who else can I get?

Paris – Prince of Troy (a playboy) Goddesses bribe Paris Athena offers – ambition, fame, success in war Hera offers – power, riches, King of Europe and Asia Aphrodite offers – the love of the most beautiful woman in the world

Paris chooses Aphrodite - There’s just one little problem… The most beautiful woman in the world is Helen… and she’s married.

"the face that launched a thousand ships" Helen – wife to Menelaus, King of Sparta (a half-mortal daughter of Zeus)

Helen’s father, Tyndareus Knew many men would pursue Helen Was afraid conflicts or wars would be fought over her Convinced suitors to swear an oath to always protect Helen to support her husband , whomever she chose

Paris visits Helen and Menelaus Welcomed as a guest Kidnaps Helen Menelaus - raises army from suitors Agamemnon- Menelaus’s brother leads expedition Achilles – greatest Greek warrior - son of Peleus and Thetis - invulnerable, except for heel

The Seige of Troy

Siege of Troy - lasts 10 years Troy – high and thick walls, surrounded by plain of Troy Aphrodite- sides with the Trojans Athena and Hera - side with the Greeks Zeus- remains impartial Achilles kills Hector, Prince of Troy – defiles body by dragging it behind his chariot Paris takes revenge for brother – shoots Achilles in heel, killing him Greeks – create a plan - Odysseus – known for strategy - Athena’s favorite warrior

The Fall of Troy

The Trojan Horse - Cassandra – priestess Greeks create a large, wooden horse Greeks sail away, leave as “gift” Warned not to bring horse inside Troy - Cassandra – priestess Trojans celebrate

End of War Soldiers slip out of horse and open gates Greeks return Trojans are massacred Troy is burned women enslaved

Gods turn against the Greeks Ajax kills Cassandra in Athena’s temple Athena is offended Calls on Poseidon to create storm

Odyssey Begins Here Greeks are scattered around the Mediterranean Odysseus’s 10 year journey home begins