The last day of troy

Last Days of Troy

The mighty Troy fell because of the tragic love of Paris for Helen, the face that launched a thousand ships. What possessed Paris to pursue a woman who belonged to Menelaus, King of Sparta, a friend to his father Priam, King of Troy.In those times, gods and goddesses played with the emotions and weaknesses of human beings. Paris was smitten by Helen, thanks to influence of the goddess of love, Aphrodite. Helen's father, King Tyndareus of Argos, failed to honor the goddess satisfactorily. Eros shot an arrow of potion to the lovers under the direction of Aphrodite.

Paris brought Helen home to Troy. This day marked the end of Troy. Menelaus asked Agamemnon to help him take back his wife . Agamemnon had other plans. This is the chance of a lifetime to invade the invincible Troy. The war lasted ten years .

The Trojans proved their might at first, under the leadership of Hector. But as the war went on, there were thousands of casualties on both sides. Patroclus was a warrior very dear to Achilles. He was killed by Hector in battle. Achilles was enraged and swore to kill Hector.

Achilles rode his chariot to the walls of Troy and challenged Hector to a fight. He was certain Hector would pay for slaying Patroclus. Hector was one of the finest warriors not only of Troy. He lost his life under Achilles sword. Hector was the prince of Troy, commander of Troy's army.

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Achilles showed no respect to the body of the slain Hector. He dragged it around, all the way to his camp where he left the body outside his camp. Hector's body was kept safe from predators, thanks to the intervention of Venus who kept him safe, day and night. She anointed the body with ambrosial oil of roses so that his flesh will not be torn as Achilles dragged him about. Another god sent a dark cloud from heaven to provide shade where Hector lay safe from the heat of the sun.

This brought such pain to Priam. A messenger from the god of Olympus came to Priam to bid him go to Achilles to claim his son's body. He has to go alone. Priam was not to go with fear in his heart, nor think of getting killed. The slayer Argus will be sent by the gods to protect him. He was assured that once he enters the camp, Achilles will not slay him, nor will anyone else. Achilles willl give him the honor and courtesy a king deserves. So Priam went to face Achilles.

Indeed, Achilles held Priam with deep respect as a good ruler, and for his courage to come and fetch the body of his son deep in the enemy's territory. Priam asked for twelve days of mourning, nine days to mourn, burial on the tenth day, public feast on the eleventh day in Hector's honor, and if needs be, fight on the twelfth day. Achilles assured him his request will be honored.

The Trojans were beginning to wear down under years of war. They lived in constant fear. With Hector gone, their fear was magnified. The mourning period for Hector marked the last days of Troy. Perhaps, it was also mourning the end of a city and its people.

The WOODEN HORSE

The walls of Troy were impervious. As the invaders spent time in idleness during the period of mourning, Odysseus ordered a large wooden horse to be built. The inside was to be hollow for the soldiers to hide within. Some believe the goddess Athena helped him with the idea.

Once it was finished, Odysseus, Achilles and other warriors hid inside. The rest of the Greek fleet sailed off to deceive the Trojans. The Trojans came to the shore and marveled at the huge creation. They were pleased that the enemy is gone. One Greek man was left, he expressed to Priam his anger at being left behind. He mentioned that if the Trojans brought the wooden horse to the city, it will bring them good luck.

Cassandra and Paris suggested that the wooden horse should be burnt. No one listened, not even the king. So the wooden horse was brought into the city. The Trojans held a celebration of their victory that night. Most of the Trojans were asleep or drunk that night. Their warriors did not have their armor. There was no need.

When the city finally fell asleep, the Greek warriors got out of their hiding place from inside the wooden horse, a signal was sent to the rest of the fleet, and all hell broke loose. Unprepared for the attack, Troy witnessed the last night of its life.

Many Trojans were killed, the city was plundered and burnt mercilessly. Women, including members of the royal house and priestesses were raped, and later brought back to Greece as slaves. Cassandra, daughter of Priam was raped in front of the statue of Athena. Many children of the royalty were slain, including the son of Hector. King Priam was killed, huddled in front of the altar of Zeus. His wife was taken as a slave for the house of Agamemnon.

Achilles fulfilled the prophecy that his name will live on, should he choose to go to war. He will be remembered for his skills as a warrior, known for being fearless. Didn't Achilles' heel get famous as well? It was a point of weakness, it was where his mother, Thetis held him as she immersed him in the waters of the river Styx. Paris was not the warrior Hector was, but he was a sharp archer. It was his arrow that felled Achilles.

Such is the fall of Troy.