As common of a symbol as the wooden horse is, the only historical document from that period that briefly references it is Homer’s The Odyssey. Both of Homer’s works revolve around the Trojan War and the period of time immediately following it. Regardless of the value of these ballads, however, the only thing known for certain is that Troy, as a city, did exist. Homer was a blind Greek poet who traveled around reciting poems about events that took place half a century before completely by memory; with every passing year and every mouth that narrated these events, details were skewed and changed to the point of elemental uncertainty.
Helen of Troy is still recognized over three thousand years later for her legendary beauty and passionate love life. According to legend, she is said to have been the entire cause of the Trojan War, when she left Sparta – whether willingly or against her will – with Paris of Troy. Her husband Menelaus, king of Sparta, joined with Agamemnon and other independent kings of Greece in an effort to take on Troy and to regain his lost wife.
One of Menelaus’ most famous warriors was Achilles. During his time, Achilles was known for his fierce fighting ability; today, Achilles is associated with the anatomical reference to the Achilles Heel. Legend tells us that when Achilles was a child, his mother dipped him in the Styx River to make him immortal. Due to the fact that she was holding him by his heel, however, it was the only part of his body that was not touched by the water, therefore proving to be his one mortal vulnerability. Modern culture defines an Achilles heel not only as an anatomical part, but also as a representation of a person’s weakness.
Whether the Trojan horse, Hellenic beauty, and Achilles’ heel are just figures of oral storytelling or if there is actually an element of truth to their historical existence, they have made their way into our history books as a part of reality. Oral storytelling passed on from generation to generation has its place in helping us understand history and civilizations. Nevertheless there are flaws in its effectiveness to accurately describe precise events that took place long ago. Archaeology provides us with more concrete evidence in regards to whether a city or place certainly existed; it also gives us a general idea of how the city had its downfall (in Troy’s instance, there is consistent evidence of destruction to the city). No written evidence, aside from the Homeric ballads of The Iliad and The Odyssey, has been found from that era to support the occurrence of the 10-year-long Trojan War.
References:
http://hnn.us/roundup/entries/5163.html
I've read both of those texts and it is very interesting to find out more about the setting of Troy! Thats very neat!
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