A Little Fruit…A Little Fruit…

Can cause BIG problems…

The Wedding of Peleus and ThetisThe Wedding of Peleus and Thetis

All the gods and goddesses All the gods and goddesses invited except one!invited except one!

Eris, The goddess of discordEris, The goddess of discord Why not invite the goddess of Why not invite the goddess of

discord?discord?

The Wedding…The Wedding…

Because she’ll cause trouble!Because she’ll cause trouble! Angry at not being invited Eris tosses “the Angry at not being invited Eris tosses “the

apple of discord” among the celebrating apple of discord” among the celebrating goddesses.goddesses.

“For the Fairest”

Women!Women!

Of course all of the goddesses wished to Of course all of the goddesses wished to claim the golden apple.claim the golden apple.

Naturally, they all believed they were the Naturally, they all believed they were the “fairest” or “most beautiful”.“fairest” or “most beautiful”.

The Three GoddessesThe Three Goddesses

Three goddesses in particular laid claim to Three goddesses in particular laid claim to the golden apple.the golden apple.

Each felt they were fairest of them all.Each felt they were fairest of them all.As the bickering over the apple began, I’m As the bickering over the apple began, I’m

sure Peleus and Thetis regretted their sure Peleus and Thetis regretted their decision to decision to not not invite invite Eris, the goddess of Eris, the goddess of discorddiscord, to their wedding., to their wedding.

Hera, the protector of MarriageHera, the protector of Marriage

Zeus’ wife (and sister)Zeus’ wife (and sister)—EWWW!—EWWW!

Often a rival of ZeusOften a rival of Zeus Hera was originally not Hera was originally not

interested in Zeus, but interested in Zeus, but he disguised himself as he disguised himself as a wounded cuckoo a wounded cuckoo bird. Loving animals, bird. Loving animals, Hera held the bird to Hera held the bird to her breast to protect it.her breast to protect it.

•Zeus then returned to his normal form, took her by surprise, and raped her.

•Hera married him to cover her shame.

•She once rallied the other gods against Zeus and revolted.

•Zeus escaped and hung Hera from the sky in gold chains as punishment.

•She had to vow to never rebel again before she was released.

•She often assists others in circumventing Zeus, but rarely gets caught.

•She is extremely jealous of Zeus’ many “infidelities”.

Athena, the goddess of WisdomAthena, the goddess of Wisdom

Daughter of ZeusDaughter of ZeusSprang full grown, Sprang full grown,

in armor, from in armor, from Zeus’ headZeus’ head

Zeus’ favorite Zeus’ favorite childchild

Fierce and brave Fierce and brave in battlein battle

Aphrodite, the goddess of loveAphrodite, the goddess of love

Can make anyone Can make anyone desire her desire her

Also the goddess of Also the goddess of desire and beautydesire and beauty

Married to Married to Hephaestus Hephaestus (ugliest of all the (ugliest of all the gods)gods)

Settling the DisputeSettling the Dispute

The three goddesses turned to the one The three goddesses turned to the one man who could settle the dispute…man who could settle the dispute…

Zeus, King of the gods

•Most powerful of the gods

•Married to Hera, father to Athena and Aphrodite

•The thunderbolt is his weapon of choice

•Not exactly the most faithful husband—in fact—he likes the ladies…a lot…really…he “gets around”. He’s pretty much everyone’s father, step-father, or at least visited their mother.

•Completely not interested in settling this dispute.

Zeus could have been being funny. He Zeus could have been being funny. He chose someone who would be a good chose someone who would be a good judge of animals to judge the beauty judge of animals to judge the beauty contest.contest.

There was also myth that Paris was the There was also myth that Paris was the most honest person in the world.most honest person in the world.

Zeus elects not to Zeus elects not to decide who is the decide who is the “fairest”, but “fairest”, but appoints appoints Paris of Paris of TroyTroy to be the judge to be the judge of the contest.of the contest.

Paris was sent to Paris was sent to the country to be a the country to be a shepherd as a boy shepherd as a boy because his mother because his mother learned he would learned he would bring the downfall of bring the downfall of Troy.Troy.

Settling the DisputeSettling the Dispute

Women Don’t Play FairWomen Don’t Play Fair

Hera

Offered to make Paris the King of all Europe and Asia

Athena

Promised to lead Troy to

victory in war over

the Greeks

Aphrodite

Promised him the

love of the most

beautiful woman in the world

And the winner is…And the winner is…

He chose the woman…He chose the woman…

Paris chooses Aphrodite, awards her the Paris chooses Aphrodite, awards her the golden apple and awaits his prize…golden apple and awaits his prize…

Helen

Helen, often referred to has Helen Helen, often referred to has Helen of Troy, is in fact the most beautiful of Troy, is in fact the most beautiful half-mortal woman in the world. half-mortal woman in the world.

Being half-mortal, that means she is Being half-mortal, that means she is half-god…Can you guess who her half-god…Can you guess who her daddy is?daddy is?

You ARE the Father!”You ARE the Father!”

““She doesn’t have She doesn’t have my eyes! All my eyes! All my kids have my kids have my eyes! She my eyes! She isn’t mine!”isn’t mine!”

“In the matter of 24 year-old Helen, Zeus…..

Paris wants to claim his Paris wants to claim his prize, but there is just one, prize, but there is just one,

small, teeny, tiny problem…small, teeny, tiny problem…

HELEN GOT HITCHED!!!!

The Marriage of Helen and The Marriage of Helen and MenelausMenelaus

Helen had many, many Helen had many, many suitors (men who wished to suitors (men who wished to marry her)marry her)

Achilles, Odysseus, Achilles, Odysseus, Agamemnon (Menelaus’ Agamemnon (Menelaus’ brother) among many other brother) among many other powerful men of the time powerful men of the time sought Helen’s hand in sought Helen’s hand in marriage.marriage.

Helen (center) with her husband, Menelaus of

Sparta (right)

•Tyndareus, Helen’s father made the suitors swear an oath to protect the marriage , regardless of who was chosen to be her husband, if they wished to suit her.

•This was done for Helen’s protection as she was so beautiful and wanted.

•Eventually she chose Menelaus who, upon Tyndareus’ death, became King of Sparta.

•Paris traveled to Sparta to “visit” Helen and Menelaus.

Helen and Menelaus had no knowledge of the actions of the gods, and so welcomed Paris as a guest.

Not the Brightest Crayon in the Not the Brightest Crayon in the Box…Box…

Menelaus chose the time of Paris’ visit to Menelaus chose the time of Paris’ visit to travel to Mycenae for family business.travel to Mycenae for family business.

He left Helen to entertain their guest.He left Helen to entertain their guest. Aphrodite used her power to start the sparks of Aphrodite used her power to start the sparks of

love.love. When Menelaus returned, Helen was gone, as When Menelaus returned, Helen was gone, as

was Paris…was Paris…

The Face That Launched a The Face That Launched a Thousand ShipsThousand Ships

Menelaus called on Helen’s former suitors to Menelaus called on Helen’s former suitors to now honor their vow to protect the marriage…now honor their vow to protect the marriage…

It took time to convince them all, as they each It took time to convince them all, as they each had their reasons to not go to war, but in the had their reasons to not go to war, but in the end, they honored their vow…end, they honored their vow…

AchillesAchilles

Son of Peleus Son of Peleus and Thetis and Thetis (remember (remember them?)them?)

Great warriorGreat warrior Invulnerable Invulnerable

except in one except in one place…place…

The Achilles Heel…The Achilles Heel…

When he was born, Thetis When he was born, Thetis took him to the river Styx took him to the river Styx in the Underworld and in the Underworld and dipped him in it making dipped him in it making him invulnerable.him invulnerable.

She had to hold him by the She had to hold him by the heel, leaving that the only heel, leaving that the only unprotected part of his unprotected part of his body.body.

Achilles did NOT Achilles did NOT want to go to war want to go to war over Helen’s over Helen’s abduction.abduction.

When Menelaus When Menelaus called upon the called upon the suitors, Achilles suitors, Achilles tried to hide…tried to hide…

Achilles disguised Achilles disguised himself as a himself as a woman.woman.

When a battle When a battle trumpet sounded, trumpet sounded, though, Achilles though, Achilles grasped his sword grasped his sword and revealed his and revealed his identity.identity.

You Da (WO)MAN, Achilles!You Da (WO)MAN, Achilles!

Odysseus also had a Odysseus also had a newborn son, newborn son, Telemachus.Telemachus.

Not wanting to go to Not wanting to go to war, Odysseus war, Odysseus pretended to be pretended to be insane.insane.

When Menelaus When Menelaus threatened to cut his threatened to cut his son in half, though, son in half, though, Odysseus admitted his Odysseus admitted his charade.charade.

Odysseus, who Odysseus, who helped Tyndareus helped Tyndareus solve the problem solve the problem of Helen’s marriage of Helen’s marriage had recently had recently become married to become married to Penelope. Penelope.

OdysseusOdysseus

Other Important CharactersOther Important Characters

Patroclus- A great Greek warrior, Achille’s friend.

Agamemnon- Menelaus’ brother

Ajax- Greek warrior

Priam- King of Troy, father of Paris and Hector

Hector- Greatest Trojan warrior, Paris’ brother

Clytemnestra- Agamemnon’s wife

Iphigenia- Agamemnon & Clytemnestra’s daughter

Ares- The God of War! He also happens to be a bit of a coward…

Hephaestus- The ugliest of all the gods. Hera was so repulsed by him when he was born that she threw him off of Mt. Olympus in an attempt to kill him. He is deformed, a skilled craftsman and, ironically, married to Aprhodite.

Apollo- god of oracles and prophecy. Also of music.

Artemis- twin sister of Apollo. Goddess of the moon and of the hunt.

The Other Gods and Godesses The Other Gods and Godesses

Aeolus- god of wind

Hermes- messenger of the gods

Poseidon- Lord of the sea; earthshaker. Known for carrying his Trident.

Agamemnon sent Agamemnon sent word to have word to have Iphigenia sent to him Iphigenia sent to him (he promised she (he promised she would be married to would be married to Achilles).Achilles).

Achilles was unhappy Achilles was unhappy when he learned of when he learned of the deception, but the deception, but Iphigenia was Iphigenia was sacrificed, and the sacrificed, and the Greeks set sail.Greeks set sail.

Sailing for TroySailing for Troy

Because Agamemnon Because Agamemnon angered the goddess angered the goddess Diana, the Greeks Diana, the Greeks were unable to sail for were unable to sail for Troy because of poor Troy because of poor winds.winds.

He learned he would He learned he would have to sacrifice his have to sacrifice his daughter, Iphigenia, in daughter, Iphigenia, in order for the Greek order for the Greek army to sail.army to sail.

Ten years of WarTen years of War

The war was a stalemate for ten The war was a stalemate for ten years.years.

A dispute between Achilles and A dispute between Achilles and Agamemnon over—you guessed it—a Agamemnon over—you guessed it—a woman changed the fortunes of the woman changed the fortunes of the war.war.

Achilles “female captive”, Briseus, Achilles “female captive”, Briseus, was taken from him by Agamemnon.was taken from him by Agamemnon.

Ten Years of WarTen Years of War

After Briseus was After Briseus was taken, Achilles taken, Achilles refused to fight.refused to fight.

His “friend” His “friend” Patroclus was Patroclus was unable to convince unable to convince him to return to the him to return to the fight.fight.

Ten Years of WarTen Years of War

Patroclus did manage Patroclus did manage to convince Achilles to to convince Achilles to lend him his armor, lend him his armor, and Patroclus returned and Patroclus returned to the fight wearing to the fight wearing Achilles’ armor.Achilles’ armor.

Patroclus was killed, Patroclus was killed, though, by Hector and though, by Hector and this enraged Achilles.this enraged Achilles.

Achilles Defiles the Body of HectorAchilles Defiles the Body of Hector

A Grieving FatherA Grieving Father

Priam couldn’t Priam couldn’t stand seeing his stand seeing his son’s body treated son’s body treated this way.this way.

He snuck into the He snuck into the Greek camp and Greek camp and begged Achilles to begged Achilles to let him take let him take Hector’s body and Hector’s body and properly bury it.properly bury it.

The Death of AchillesThe Death of Achilles

Achilles finally agreed, Achilles finally agreed, but his behavior had but his behavior had angered the gods, and angered the gods, and so, he met his fate…so, he met his fate…

Paris (of all people) Paris (of all people) tried to shoot Achilles tried to shoot Achilles in the back, but in the back, but missed (some say with missed (some say with the help of the gods) the help of the gods) and hit his…HEEL!and hit his…HEEL!

The Final Plan…The Final Plan…

The first step in any plan to win a The first step in any plan to win a war---according to Odysseus…war---according to Odysseus…

BUILD A GIANT WOODEN HORSE!BUILD A GIANT WOODEN HORSE!

Beware of Greeks…Beware of Greeks…

The Greeks built The Greeks built the horse, the horse, Odysseus and the Odysseus and the others hid inside.others hid inside.

The rest of the The rest of the Greek army set sail Greek army set sail for home, looking for home, looking as though they had as though they had given up.given up.

The Trojans The Trojans thought the horse thought the horse was a gift and was a gift and brought it inside brought it inside the city.the city.

The Greeks waited The Greeks waited until the Trojans until the Trojans were well into their were well into their “celebration” of “celebration” of victory.victory.

The Greeks came The Greeks came out of the horse out of the horse when most of the when most of the city was asleep city was asleep (passed out) and (passed out) and proceeded to burn proceeded to burn the place to the the place to the ground killing ground killing every man, woman every man, woman and child…and child…

The Survivor(s)The Survivor(s) Aeneas (left) escaped Aeneas (left) escaped

Troy carrying his Troy carrying his father on his back. father on his back. His father died during His father died during the escape.the escape.

Some accounts say Some accounts say Aeneas was thesole Aeneas was thesole survivor, others say he survivor, others say he led a small band of led a small band of Trojans to safety. Trojans to safety. Virgil’s Virgil’s The AeneidThe Aeneid covers these stories covers these stories which end with the which end with the founding of Rome.founding of Rome.

After the WarAfter the War

Agamemnon returned Agamemnon returned home, but his wife home, but his wife was still a little----was still a little----unhappy with him.unhappy with him.

She and her new lover She and her new lover killed Agamemnon, killed Agamemnon, but were later killed but were later killed themselves by themselves by Orestes, Orestes, Agamemnon’s sonAgamemnon’s son

Helen and MenelausHelen and Menelaus

Helen was recovered from Troy and Helen was recovered from Troy and she proved her loyalty to Menelaus. she proved her loyalty to Menelaus. They returned to Sparta and lived They returned to Sparta and lived “happily ever after”.“happily ever after”.

OdysseusOdysseus

Odysseus, however, would take Odysseus, however, would take another 10 years to return home.another 10 years to return home.

His journey home is documented in His journey home is documented in Homer’s Homer’s The OdysseyThe Odyssey. .

See, we are reading See, we are reading The OdysseyThe Odyssey next and that’s what this whole day next and that’s what this whole day was meant to set up.was meant to set up.

Make sure your handouts are Make sure your handouts are complete.complete.