Ancient History Flashcards
Helen Judgment of Paris
Stars Trojan war, after being taken from the Judgment of Paris by Paris, courteous of Aphrodite.
Quotes about Helen
‘the most beautiful woman in the world/ face that sailed 1000 ships’.
‘An enigmatic woman, shrouded in mystery; for we know what she was like, nor what was special about her.
Alternate Helen Myth
Alternate myth: Euripides’ version, is that Hera, out of jealousy for not being chosen, makes a phantom of Helen which goes to Troy, still causing the war (for Zeus to prevent ‘overcrowding’ on Earth, and so that the Greeks can win glory). The real Helen is kept safeish in Egypt.
Facts about Paris
Prince of Troy, son of Priam. Elopes with/steals Helen from Sparta, sailing with her back to Troy and starting the Trojan War.
Hector
Prince of Troy and its greatest hero. Eldest son of Priam. Killed by Achilles, dragged round the city 3 times attached by his ankles to his (Achilles’) chariot, which was vengeance for Hector having killed Patroclus.
Priam Facts
King of Troy, father of Hector, Paris, 66 other sons and 18 daughters. Welcomes Helen into Troy.
Achilles Facts
Greatest hero of the Greeks. Has a major fall out with Agamemnon in Book 1 of the Iliad, after the King takes his prize (Briseis), after he (Ag.) has to give his own (Chryseis) back to the priest Chryses, after Apollo sends a plague to the Greeks, at Thetis’ request (from Achilles, via Zeus: Achilles–>Thetis–>Zeus–>Apollo- read book 1 for more detail if you’d like!).
Patroclus
Best friend of Achilles (and maybe his lover…). Convinces Achilles to let him borrow his armour (Iliad, Book 16), as the Trojans have almost reached the Greek ships, as Achilles is still sulking (the aftermath of book 1). Achilles agrees, on the condition that P§atroclus does not fight Hector. Patroclus starts enjoying himself too much, so takes on Hector…
Menelaus
Spurned husband of Helen. King of Sparta, brother of Agamemnon.
Agamemnon
King of Kings of the Greeks. Gathers the Greek army from the many city states scattered across mainland Greece and the Peloponnese. Falls out with Achilles in Book 1 of the Iliad over their prizes (women).
Thetis
Married to Peleus, mother of Achilles, dipped him in the Styx at birth. Begs Zeus to make the Greeks fare badly in the Trojan War in book 1 (using their past relationship to convince him).
Odysseus
Greek hero in Trojan War, famously the man ‘of many stratagems’ (the clever one!). Spends 10 years trying to get back to Ithaca to be reunited with his wife, Penelope. Strings the bow, throws off his disguise, kills the suitors.
Aphrodite, Hera and Athena
The three main goddesses. Vie for the Golden Apple, upon which was written ‘for the Fairest’. Zeus delegates to Paris (the foolish but good-looking mortal) to choose. Doesn’t go for being King of Europe and Asia (Hera), or having unmatchable wisdom and skill in war (Athena), but instead opts for the love of the most beautiful woman in the world= Helen (Aphrodite).
Iphigeneia
Sacrificed by Agamemnon at Aulis, to appease Artemis (for having killed her sacred deer/hare, or because he dared to claim he was as good an archer as her) and give the fleet winds to sail to Troy. Effectively ends his relationship with his wife Clytemnaestra for choosing to sacrifice their daughter, who plots to kill him whenever he finally returns from Troy…
Laocoon
Trojan priest who counsels against accepting the Wooden Horse. Is eaten, along with his sons, by sea-serpents which, in a completely normal turn of events, run/slide out of the sea, eat them, then run back into the sea.
