1. The Trojan War – fact or fiction

2. What is a myth? A myth is an explanation of something in nature; how everything in the universe came into existence (men, animals, trees, the sun, earthquakes, etc). Myths were used by the Ancient Greeks to glorify their past, and also to make fun of themselves. Greek mythology is made up of stories about gods, goddesses, god-like humans, and other creatures. Myths were also told to teach lessons on how to live one’s life.

3. That’ll teach ya!

4. Greek Gods and Goddesses The Greeks believed that human affairs were influenced by the gods and goddesses that lived on Mount Olympus in NorthernGreece. The Gods and Goddesses of Mt. Olympus Source: (http://www.mythweb.com/gods/index.html)

5. Gods and Goddesses (cont’d) Main Gods and Goddesses: ◦ZEUS: ruler of all gods ◦HERA: Zeus’ wife, goddess of marriage ◦APOLLO: god of light, prophesy, and music ◦APHRODITE: goddess of love ◦ARES: god of war ◦ATHENA: goddess of wisdom ◦POSEIDON: god of the sea ◦DIONYSUS: god of wine ◦ARTEMIS: goddess of hunting ◦HERMES – messenger god ◦HEPHAESTUS – god of meteallurgy ◦DEMETER – goddess of the harvest ◦The Greek Gods and Goddesses were ‘anthropomorphic’ – given human qualities even though they were not human. ◦They were made in the image of man, flaws and all.

6. Those Nasty Goddesses... For the Fairest The Apple of DiscordThe Judgement of Paris The Judgement of Paris, Peter Paul Rubens, ca 1636 (National Gallery, London)Peter Paul RubensNational Gallery, London Source: (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judgement_of_Paris_%28mythology%29)

7. The Trojan War Background: - Believed to have taken place between 1260 – 1250 BCE. - Archeological remains show some evidence of a battle. - Story was told by the poet Homer (c. 800 BCE) in a story called The Illiad. - According to Homer, a Spartan queen named Helen was stolen away by the Trojan prince named Paris (remember the apple?) - Helen became ‘the face that launched a thousand ships.’ - If there was a war, it was most likely a war of conquest… Doh!

8. The Gods Take Sides TROJANS (Paris, Hector) Aphrodite Ares Apollo Artemis Zeus (favored, but stayed neutral to please Hera) GREEKS (Achilles,Odysseus) Hera Athena Poseidon Watch the two epic warriors battle it out one on one: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AW256O1uK74

9. The Bloody Battle According to Homer, the war lasted for 10 long years Some of the characteristics of war during this time: ◦hand to hand combat ◦periods of temporary truce to bury the dead ◦no fighting after sunset ◦Gods decided the outcomes ◦Greek weaponry:  long spears  round shields  light armour (hoplites) ◦Trojan weaponry:  spears  long shields  archers  light armour

10. Military Tactics Armies for both sides extremely loyal – professional soldiers (trained as early as 5 years old in Sparta) Led by charismatic generals (Greeks – Achilles, Trojans – Hektor) Importance of sacrifice to the gods before battle Trojan walls were ‘impregnable’ – never breached Both sides relied on infantry (foot soldiers) Chariots used – very little Cavalry used – the wealthiest soldiers Goals – outlast the enemy in a war of ‘attrition’ Infantry supported by archers in the rear Terror tactics (fireballs, boiling oil to prevent sieges) (All accounts are based on later written accounts of battles from this region) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OFWOzENwX3M

11. The Trojan Horse – Myth or Reality? 19th century etching of an imagined Trojan Horse.etching Source: (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trojan_Horse)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trojan_Horse https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YbiR6IMf5KQ

12. Your Task  Read the article about the Trojan Horse, and answer the questions that follow.