The Trojan War — Greek Myth

The Story

After Helen left Sparta with Paris, Menelaus demanded her return.

When Troy refused, the Greek kings and heroes gathered for war.

Agamemnon, king of Mycenae and brother of Menelaus, became commander of the coalition.

Among the warriors who sailed were Achilles, Ajax, Odysseus, Diomedes, Nestor and many others.

The Greeks crossed the Aegean and landed near Troy.

But the city was protected by powerful walls, strong allies and some of the greatest warriors of the age.

Foremost among the Trojan defenders was Hector, eldest son of Priam and Hecuba.

The war did not end quickly.

For years the Greeks fought around Troy and raided neighbouring regions.

The gods themselves became involved.

Athena, Hera and Poseidon often favoured the Greeks.

Aphrodite supported Paris and the Trojans.

Apollo repeatedly aided Troy.

Zeus attempted at times to balance or control the conflict, but even his decisions were shaped by the competing interests of the gods.

The Iliad does not tell the whole ten-year war.

It focuses on a short period near the end, beginning with a quarrel between Achilles and Agamemnon.

Agamemnon took Briseis, a captive woman awarded to Achilles.

Achilles withdrew from battle.

Without the greatest Greek warrior, the Trojans gained the advantage.

Hector drove the Greeks back toward their ships.

The war therefore became not only a struggle between Greeks and Trojans but also a conflict over honour within the Greek army itself.

Achilles' refusal to fight would eventually cost him the person closest to him.

That loss would bring him back into the war with devastating consequences.

Key Figures

Achilles Foremost Greek warrior Aeneas Trojan warrior and survivor Agamemnon Commander of the Greek coalition Ajax the Great Major Greek warrior Aphrodite Divine supporter of Paris Apollo Major divine supporter of Troy Athena Major divine supporter of the Greeks Cassandra Prophetess of Troy Deiphobus Trojan warrior Diomedes Major Greek warrior Hector Principal Trojan defender Hecuba Queen of Troy Helen Central figure in the cause of the war Helenus Trojan prophet Hera Divine opponent of Troy Menelaus Husband of Helen Nestor Senior Greek counsellor Odysseus King of Ithaca and strategist Paris Trojan prince Patroclus Companion of Achilles Priam King of Troy Teucer Greek archer

Why It Matters

The Trojan War became the central heroic conflict of Greek mythology, bringing together almost every major heroic family and providing the setting for the Iliad, Odyssey and a vast body of later literature.

Traditions & Variations

No single ancient work tells the entire Trojan War. Homer focuses on only part of the conflict, while lost epics, tragedy, lyric poetry and later authors preserve other episodes. Details such as Helen's role, the length of particular campaigns and individual deaths vary across traditions.

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