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The Trojan War. Homer's The Iliad. Greek Culture around 1250 B.C. City States had their own Kings (who were like governors). Some kings waged war with others to gain more land & power. Kings could be good or bad people who may have had genuine concern for their citizens. . . Or not.
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The Trojan War Homer's The Iliad
Greek Culture around 1250 B.C. • City States had their own Kings (who were like governors). Some kings waged war with others to gain more land & power. • Kings could be good or bad people who may have had genuine concern for their citizens. . . Or not. • Women were often treated as property. • People lived off of the land. Metal work involved bronze. Iron came a bit later.
Greek Values, Honor, & Culture: • Proving oneself on the battlefield: Dying in battle or killing others in battle. • Honoring the Gods with gifts/sacrifices. • Code of Hospitality. • Family (though affairs were common for the men and this was apparently fine). • Respect for elders, friends, history. • Patriotism. • Gifts and war prizes (including women and dead soldier's armor). • Peer Pressure.
How did the Trojan War begin? What reasons did the Achaeans have to attack Troy?
Greek Motives for War: • Honor: All Kings swore an oath years before to respect Helen's marriage and defend it at any cost. When Paris took her, they were honor bound to go get her back. • Greed: Troy was a wealthy city and people from all over the known world used it as a trading port/post. A lot of money went through this city because of its location.
Other Important Trojans • Briseis: A woman Achilles captured and took as a prize, but for whom he has real affection. Agamemnon takes her from Achilles, starting the conflict in the Iliad. • Cassandra: Priam and Hecuba's daughter who can foretell the future, but who no one ever listens to. • Chryses: Apollo's priest who begins the action in book one of the Iliad. • Hecuba: Queen of Troy, Priam's first wife.
Caught in the Middle:Helen of Sparta/Troy • Perhaps Paris told her:
King Agamemnon and his brother, Menelaus (Helen's husband). Both known as the "Son of Atreus"
Other Important Achaeans: • Ajax and Ajax the lesser (brothers and great fighters). Ajax is huge and strong. • Calchas and Nestor: Old advisors to Agamemnon. • Patroclus: Achilles' best friend. • Phoenix: Achilles' old mentor. • Thetis: Achilles' mother, a water goddess.
