Greek Mythology and the Trojan War
By Megan J. Stoner
The study of the Trojan War is inextricably interwoven with Greek mythology. This is due mainly to two literary figures, the legendary epic talent Homer, and the historian-mythologian Hesiod. The works of these two form the basis not only for the telling of the historical tale of the Trojan War, but also of the mythical characters so influential in Greek culture. Homer, in fact, is listed by the historian Herotodus as being one of the original authors of Greek mythology. His Iliad and Odyssey tell the tale of the Trojan War through the participants of it, outlining and detailing the history of the war and the gods. Hesiod’s Theogony and Weeks and Days also was influential in this, but not quite to the same extent.
Of all wars of history and pre-history, of fact or fancy, the Trojan War is the most famous. The historical event has captured the imaginations of poets and storytellers century after century, and each teller had added something to the tale. Often the accounts given were extremely distorted, often with little or no attention paid to the actual history of the occurrence. The account given in Homer’s Iliad of the Trojan War is a masterpiece, of both mythological fiction and historical accuracy. In this work, many details of the war can be found, represented with astonishing accuracy. Because of their intertwining with myth, however, it is necessary to understand the nature and brief history of the main characters found in it. Several of these, such as Helen and Priam, were actual historical figures, merely enlarged and given grandeur by Homer.
Others were obvious fabrications, such as the deities. Yet, even these are not creations taken "from out of the blue". Rather, they are an ideal, an illustration of the standards and aspirations of the Greek people. The Greeks admired intelligence, beauty, and strength: to them, man was a manifestation of all of these. They gave their gods these qualities in abundance, always portraying them in human form with strong, beautiful, gracefully strong bodies. The Greek Gods and Heroes represented the dominant personality characteristics of the Greek people. They were quarrelsome, unforgiving, wise creatures that enjoyed warring, banquets, and fornication. The deities are a representation of the qualities most aimed for by the Greeks; a goal that every youth strove to attain, and characteristics admired by all in those who had them.
In the Greek mythology can be divided into two rough categories: tales of Heroes, and tales of Tragedy. Heroes were adventurous fighters; bold, experienced, fierce, strong, and generally clever. They performed extraordinary feats of bravery and strength, yet often had failings that sometimes ruined them. Pride, rashness, cruelty – these flaws often rose from the very source of their success: ambition. In heroes, ambition was intense. Heroes were thus set forth as models of human excellence.
Tragic tales share many of the same characteristics as those of heroes, though they generally deal with tragic dynasties, such as those of Crete, Mycenae, Thebes, and Athens. Despite their worldly power, the royal families of these dynasties were afflicted with their own peculiar faults that rendered them prone to disaster. Again, a similarity can be found to those of heroes, the