Importance of the Trojan War

Perhaps one of the most significant war events of Antiquity, the Trojan War became the history in a central milestone to understand the power of Greece and the conformation of its identity in the Mediterranean.

The war between the Greeks and the Trojans

According to historical records, the Trojan War took place between the years 1194 and 1184 (although there are divergences in this regard in the results of the excavations and in the interpretation of written documents) and took place in the city of Troy, which was located at that time in the region of Asia Minor, a territory that today would belong to Türkiye.

The Trojan War represented the confrontation between the Trojans and the Greeks (who at that time were called Achaeans since they still later Greek identity was not fully formed) due to territorial issues, stolen loot and power shipowners. The historical version of the war differs (as with many myths) from the mythical story. The result of this confrontation was the invasion of the city of Troy by the Achaeans and the subsequent destruction of the Trojan tradition.

The Iliad as a version of the myth

One of the two texts founders of the Greek tradition was the Iliad, poem Created in verse by Homer. This author also created the work known as Odyssey. While the first tells the events that followed the Trojan War and the link between the Achaeans and Trojans, the second work recounts the return of one of the Greek heroes to the region of Greece: Odysseus.

In these works (which were passed from mouth to mouth since they were established at a time when the writing), Homer established elements that would be foundational for the Greek tradition, such as his power over the eastern Mediterranean and its subsequent colonizing tradition on the Asian coast Minor. The same time, this war and its myth gave rise to the creation of very special heroes and gods for Greek history.

The fame of the war and the Trojan horse

Among the events that took place in the Trojan War, there is one that has been considered by historians as one of the most innovative military strategies. We talk about the decision by the Greek army to build a huge wooden horse that They offered the Trojans as a sign of peace between the two peoples when the conflict seemed to reach its end. end.

The Greeks waited inside the wooden horse for nightfall and when the people Trojan was resting, they attacked the city, mowing down the unsuspecting local army and taking the city for yes. This event is considered as the end of the war and the final victory of the Greek people.

Images: Fotolia. xunantunich – muratart