Thesis
Based on legend, the Trojan War has remained a thing of fantasy and myth. However, new evidence now supports the events reffered to in Greek mythology. Could it have happened? If so, how much of it is true?
Based on legend, the Trojan War has remained a thing of fantasy and myth. However, new evidence now supports the events reffered to in Greek mythology. Could it have happened? If so, how much of it is true?
The Legend
According to Greek mythology, the Trojan War was waged against the city of Troy by the Achaeans (Greeks) after Paris took Helen from her husband Menelaus, the king of Sparta. Although, the actual cause of the war has been debated among many scholars who feel the actual cause of The Trojan War was the need for land and for expansion, as well as for wealth and power. The war is considered one of the most important events in Greek mythology as well as the most fascinating. The story of the war has also been written by poets like Virgil and Ovid, however, only fragments of them are still known today.
According to Mythology:
The gods, Peleus and Thetis were to have a wedding. Eris, however, was not invited. She came anyway as an uninvited guest. During the celebration, she threw a golden apple into the air and proclaimed: "This apple belongs to fairest one".
Three people reached the apple: Hera, Athena, and Aphrodite. Paris, who was a prince of Troy, judged the event. All three Hera, Athena and Aphrodite promised him power, wealth, and the most beautiful woman in exchange for the apple. Paris chose the goddess Aphrodite and she promised him the most beautiful woman, Helen of Sparta. The taking of Helen thus leads to the beginning of TheTrojan War.