The Origins of the Trojan War

Did the Trojan war really happen? If so, how did it start?

The Trojan war, according to Greek legend, was a famous conflict waged by the Greeks against the city of Troy in Anatolia, part of present day Turkey. Modern excavations show that Troy was indeed destroyed between 1230 B.C. and 1180 B.C., so the legend may be a blend of fact and myth.

It seems that there was an important wedding held on Mount Olympus between Peleus, the most worthy of mortals, and Thetis, a sea-goddess. All the gods and goddesses were invited to the wedding except Eris, goddess of discord.

Furious at this insult, Eris stormed into the gathering, clutching a beautiful golden apple. The apple bore an inscription: "For the Fairest". Eris tossed the apple on the banquet table.

Immediately, three powerful goddesses reached for it: Athena, Hera and Aphrodite.

The goddesses asked Zeus to judge which of them was most beautiful and therefore who could claim ownership of the apple. Zeus, being quite wise, turned the matter over to Paris, a Trojan Prince, who was considered to be the most beautiful man alive.

The goddesses each tried to bribe Paris. Athena offered him power, promising to make him a great hero or general. Hera offered him wealth, promising to make him ruler of the wealthiest kingdom. Aphrodite offered him the most beautiful woman in the world as his bride: Helen of Sparta. Foolishly, Paris chose Aphrodite.

Unfortunately, Helen was already married to Menelaus, king of Sparta. In order to claim his bride, Paris set sail from Troy to Sparta with the intention of capturing Helen, and bringing her home. Upon his arrival, Paris was treated as a royal guest, but when Menelaus left to attend a funeral, Paris abducted Helen ( or perhaps she went willingly,) and most of Menelaus' riches and left Sparta.

Helen and Paris are believed to have married in Troy about 1200 B.C.

King Menelaus returned to Sparta to find that Paris had fled with his wife and most of his treasure. He assembled a fleet at Aulis, to sail to Troy and regain Helen and his property. He asked his brother,Agamemnon, to lead the Greek forces. Agamemnon agreed.