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Beware of Greeks.....

© Anita Stratos

Wars have been fought over many things, but once fought their stories live on forever. But the Trojan War is unique in that no one can agree as to whether the famed war actually ever happened or not.

The fact that Troy existed wasn't even proven until 1876 when German archaeologist Heinrich Schliemann uncovered the ancient ruins on the coast of Turkey. His discovery of royal shaft graves were thought to be the Greek heroes of the Trojan War because the armor, weapons, and war imagery in the graves closely matched the descriptions in Homer's stories. That was the beginning of the exploration and recovery of Troy and the rest, as they say, is history.

There are even myths within the myths surrounding Troy and the Trojan War. These stories differ from each other in major aspects, such as when and why heroes died, reasons battles were fought, and even when the war took place. And as for Helen, the beautiful crux of this ten year war - well, it is unclear as to whether she was kidnapped, left her husband willingly, or fell under the spell of a goddess which caused her to run off with another man. For as many versions as you read, it is likely that you'll find that many differences among them.

But we're not here to pit myth against myth. Let's look at the traditional account of the Trojan War, and take a glimpse at the evidence archaeologists have uncovered proving its existence. Then you can decide whether or not to believe in Troy and the existence of a feminine beauty so great that it drove civilizations to destruction.

The most commonly told story is that Eris, goddess of strife and discord, had not been invited to the lavish wedding of Thetis, sea-nymph and mother of Achilles, and King Peleus of Pthia. In her anger, she threw a golden apple into the crowd of wedding guests with the words "For the Most Beautiful" written on it. The goddesses Hera, Athena, and Aphrodite all laid claim to the apple, but it could only belong to one. To resolve the issue Zeus, king of the gods, ruled that Paris, son of the Trojan king Priam, should decide which goddess was most deserving of the coveted prize. All three goddesses tried to bribe Paris, but Aphrodite offered him the most beautiful woman in the world if he would choose her as the winner. For Paris this was by far the best bribe of all, and Aphrodite was awarded the golden apple.