Beware of Greeks bearing gifts.
Virgil, The Aeneid
According to legend, the war began when Paris, a Trojan prince, kidnapped Helen, the wife of Menelaus, a Greek king. Outraged, the Greeks, led by Agamemnon, launched an invasion of Troy.
The war lasted ten years, filled with heroic battles and divine interventions. The most famous strategy was the Trojan Horse—a giant wooden horse used to sneak Greek soldiers into the city.
The Trojans, believing it was a gift, brought it inside their walls. At night, Greek warriors emerged and opened the gates, leading to Troy’s downfall.
Historians debate whether the war actually happened, but archaeological evidence suggests a real conflict may have inspired the myth.
The Trojan War continues to influence literature and culture, reminding us of the power of strategy, deception, and fate in shaping history.
Vocabulary Bank:
- Deception – Penipuan atau tipu daya
- Divine – Ilahi atau berhubungan dengan dewa
- Intervention – Campur tangan
- Archaeological – Berhubungan dengan arkeologi
- Strategy – Strategi
Soal:
Do you think the story of the Trojan War is based on real events, or is it purely myth? Why?
