The First War of West and East: Trojan War
Trojan War Story
Entrance
The Trojan War, in Greek mythology, is the war about the attack of the Greeks (Achaeans) on the city of Troy in Anatolia as a result of the Trojan Paris kidnapping Helen, the wife of the Spartan King Menelaos. War has a very important place in Greek mythology and literature, and its details are described in the epics of the Anatolian poet Homer called Iliad and Odyssey. While the Iliad describes in minute detail the last month of the ten-year war, the Odyssey describes the journey of Odysseus, one of the Greek commanders, to his homeland Ithaca after the fall of Troy.
Causes of War
The beginning of the war is related to Zeus not inviting the goddess Eris to the wedding of Peleus and Thetis. Thereupon, Eris sends a golden apple to the wedding and asks that it be given to "the most beautiful goddess". When Athena, Hera and Aphrodite disagreed about who should be given the golden apple, Zeus sent the goddesses to Paris and asked Paris to choose the most beautiful goddess. Paris gives the golden apple to Aphrodite. In return, Aphrodite makes Helen, "the most beautiful of all women", fall in love with Paris. Paris falls in love with Helen during his visit to Sparta, and the two lovers return to Troy together. Believing that they had been insulted, the Greeks gathered the Achaean army under the leadership of Menelaos and his brother, Mycenaean King Agamemnon, and organized an expedition to Troy. They entered into a long and difficult war with the Trojans, who did not respond positively to the offers to return Helen and pay them compensation.
Development of War
The first years of the war ended in a stalemate because the Greeks could not overcome the walls of Troy and the Trojans could not burn the Greek ships. Greeks earn their living by plundering the cities around Troy. In the ninth year of the war, a disagreement broke out between Greek commanders Achilles and Agamemnon. Agamemnon takes Briseis, Achilles' war booty. Thereupon, Achilles withdraws from the war and withdraws his friends, the Myrmidons. This situation provides an advantage for the Trojans. Trojan prince Hector repels the Greek army and advances to their ships.
When Patroklos, Achilles' best friend, sees the difficult situation of the Greeks, he joins the war by wearing Achilles' armor. However, he is killed by Hector. Achilles returns to war to avenge his friend and encounters Hector. He kills Hector and takes his body to the Greek camp. Hector's father, Priam, the king of Troy, comes to Achilles' tent to take back his son's body and begs him heartily. Achilles shares Priam's pain and delivers Hector's body to him. Hector is buried with a great ceremony in Troy.
In the last year of the war, the Greeks build a Trojan horse with Odysseus' idea. They hide their elite warriors inside the horse. The remaining Greek army gets on their ships and sails away. The Trojans think that the Greeks left and left the horse as a gift of peace. They let the horse into the city. At night, the Greek warriors inside the horses come out and open the gates of the city. The returning Greek army enters the city and sets Troy on fire. The Trojan king Priam, his son Paris and many other Trojans are killed. Helen is taken back by Menelaos.
Consequences of the War
The Trojan War is an important turning point in the history of Anatolia and Greece. The destruction of Troy also leads to the collapse of the Hittite Empire. The dark age begins in Greece. Greek civilization declines due to the destruction and migration caused by war. Many of the heroes of the war cannot return to their homeland or are unhappy when they return. Odysseus' return to his homeland, Ithaca, lasts ten years and is the scene of many adventures. Agamemnon is killed by his wife Clytemnestra and her lover Aegisthos. Achilles' son Neoptolemus marries Andromache, daughter of the Trojan king Priam. As the only prince to survive the destruction of Troy, Aeneas goes to Italy to establish a new civilization.
Conclusion
The Trojan War is one of the most fascinating stories in human history, both a real and legendary event. It contains universal themes such as war, love, betrayal, heroism, pain, revenge and mercy. Homeric epics, which describe the war, form the basis of Western literature. The city of Troy, where the battle took place, was discovered through archaeological excavations and was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The Trojan War is an important part of the world heritage, both historically and culturally.
Finally, in my opinion, this war marks the beginning of the conflict between east and west that continues until now. On one side, the east with its myths, legends and religious values, and on the other side, the west with its materialism and more liberal approach.
