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1260 BCE
Trojan War
The trojan war was a war between the kingdoms of Troy and Mycenaean Greece. The war was said to have started after the abduction of Queen Helen of Sparta. Helen was abducted by prince Paris of Troy, causing Helen's husband, King Menelaus, to become angry and recruit his brother Agamemnon, along with heroes like Achilles and Odysseus. After about ten years, a large wooden horse arrived in Troy. The people of Troy decided to open it, which let the Spartan fighters hiding inside it attack and win. -
1260 BCE
Trojan War Analysis
The Trojan war was very pivotal, because it is what lead to the death of Apollo. On top of that, this set up big things to come for heroes like Odysseus -
1200 BCE
Lotus-Eaters
The lotus-eaters come from the story the Odyssey. When Odysseus and his men were almost free, Zeus sent them to the land of Lotus-Eaters. When his men don't resist temptation, they eat the Lotus. This story is important because this was one of the many problems of Odysseus and his men. This also is another way that Odysseus lost some of his men. -
1200 BCE
Cyclops
Cyclopes are giant, one-eyed monsters that are very clumsy and don't treat people with much respect. One notable cyclops is Polyphemus, who is from the Odyssey. Polyphemus ate some of Odysseus' men, then Odysseus offered him some beer. When he became drunk, Odysseus stabbed him in his eye. This shows the type of person Odysseus was, because he bragged about it afterwards and revealed his identity. This also shows how much he valued his pride. -
1200 BCE
Aeolus and the Bag of Winds
The bag of winds was a gift from Aeolus to Odysseus, as well as a wind to guide he and his men to where they needed to get. However, the bag of winds contained two deadly storms. Odysseus' crew didn't believe him when they were told this, and believed it was actually gold and silver. When Odysseus was sleep, the opened the bag and releases the storms. This shows that Odysseus' men didn't have trust in him, but also that they were very selfish and greedy. The men's disbelief caused them trouble. -
1200 BCE
Suitors/Home
Odysseus finally returns home after being gone for twenty years. When he is home, there are suitors competing to take his place, so Odysseus enlists the help of two loyal servants to help him compete for the hand of his wife. Odysseus has to simply string his bow, which nobody else can do. After this, he kills the suitors and retakes his seat and his old life. This shows an answer and payoff for all of Odysseus' troubles and his persistence through everything that took place. -
1200 BCE
Circe
Circe was an enchantress that Odysseus encountered on his journey. After turning Odysseus' men into pigs, she freed them to make Odysseus happy. Throughout Odysseus' journey to get back to Ithaca, Circe assists him. She offers help as well tells Odysseus what to prepare for. Circe was essential to Odysseus' successful return home, because she told him everything he needed to know in order to survive. On top of that, she was one of the only people there for Odysseus. -
1200 BCE
Sirens
The sirens were dangerous creatures that could lure in Odysseus and his men with their enchanting sounds. Circe warned Odysseus that they would encounter the sirens, and that it was very dangerous for he or his men to get very close. To listen to the sounds and prove how mighty and brave he was, Odysseus had his men tie him to the flagpole to show he could listen to the sounds. This story shows how much Odysseus values his pride and how much he wants to be right and more capable. -
1200 BCE
Scylla and Charybdis
Scylla and Charybdis were the next obstacle that Odysseus and his crew faced. Odysseus was warned that he would have to go past Scylla and lose six men, or Charybdis, who would create a whirlpool and destroy all of the ships. Odysseus chose to give up the six men, but he didn't tell his crew. This particular story depicts the relationship Odysseus had with his men, and the reasons he had to do this. -
1200 BCE
Helios' Cattle
Helios' Cattle is the reason for the death of the remaining men that were apart of Odysseus' crew. Odysseus warned his men not to eat the cattle, but they didn't take heed to his warnings. When they ate the cattle anyway, they died, leaving Odysseus to be left as the only one surviving. This goes to show Odysseus' obedience and patience. This also shows, again, how greedy his men were and how disobedient they were -
1200 BCE
Suitors/Home Analysis
Odysseus comes up with a plan to dress as a beggar to throw off the suitors as well. His plan always
