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Things that are sometimes found in
fiction often have more truth in them than you can imagine. Just
because something is ancient in nature and based in a mythological
story does not mean that it does not have some truth to it. Take
for example the Trojan War that was allegedly fought many years ago
and has taken its part in Greek mythology alongside many other
things that men still study today. Although the Trojan War may or
may not have been fought, it is thought to have been based roundly
on some insignificant events that may have occurred. One of the
most noticeable events that surround the myth of the Trojan war is
the gift of the wooden horse that was given to the people of the
city of Troy. Here is the story about that horse.
The Greek army had been fighting
the Trojan War for many years. They had laid siege to the city of
Troy for 10 years, which is an exceptionally long time for a city to
stand against a siege. Because city walls were such an important
feature of security in those days the city of Troy reportedly had
great walls that were impregnable. That is the reason why the Greek
army laid siege against the city and held it for all those years.
Apparently the people that lived in the city of Troy were able to
withstand such a long assault so the Greek army, under the direction
of king Odysseus of Ithaca, devised a plan to enter into the city
without battle.
Because it was customary for a
general that was defeated in war to offer his horse to the
victorious general, king Odysseus of Ithaca devised a plan in which
a huge wooden horse that was hollow on the inside would be offered
as a gesture of peace towards the city of Troy. It was a ruse,
however, as the horse was filled with Greek soldiers and the
remaining soldiers pretended to sail back to Greece. They actually
hid behind a nearby city until they were able to attack. Although
the Trojan horse was looked at with some suspicion, it was accepted
into the city as a token of peace and the city's inhabitants began
to celebrate over their newfound freedom.
It wasn't until the inhabitants of
the city were all either drunk or asleep that the soldiers came out
of the horse and killed the guards that were standing at the
city gates. These soldiers then opened the gates and allowed the
rest of the Greek army to enter the city and to plunder it. All of
the men that lived inside the city were put to death. The remaining
members of their households were taken off into slavery.
Although the Trojan War and the
story of the Trojan horse may not be factual and nature, they do
hold an important position in history and they do teach us a
valuable lesson. That is why many people still use the term to
describe a gift that is not what it appears to be.
Greek History Article:
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