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Trojan War
The Story of the Trojan War in mythology is told through passages from Homer's Illiad and the works of other classic poets. The war was waged against Troy by the Greeks and lasted for ten years. The war was caused by the abduction of Helen by Paris. The war ended with the destruction of Troy.
The Origin of the Trojan War
Iphigenia in Aulis
Protesilaus and Laodamia
The Trojan War in Homer's Illiad
The Enlistment of the Gods in the Trojan War
Agamemnon Calls A Council
Paris Plays the Champion
Trojan Battles - The Two Days' Battle
Neptune Aids the Discouraged Greeks
Achilles and Patroclus in the Trojan War
The Deaths of Sarpedon and Patroclus
The Reconciliation of Agamemnon and Achilles
The Death of Hector in the Trojan War
Priam in the Tent of Achilles
The Fall of Troy:
The End of the Illiad
The Death of Achilles
Paris and CEnone
The "Trojan"Wooden Horse in the War
The Death of Priam and Results of the Fall
Achilles and Patroclus
An arrow from the bow of Paris had wounded Machaon, son of AEsculapius, a brave warrior, who, having inherited his father's art, was of great value to the Greeks as their surgeon. Nestor, taking Machaon in his chariot, conveyed him from the field.As they passed the ships of Achilles, that hero, looking over the battle, saw the chariot of Nestor, and recognized the old chief, but could not discern who the wounded warrior was. Calling Patroclus, his companion and dearest friend, he sent him to Nestor's tent to inquire. Patroclus, performing the behest, saw Machaon wounded and, having told the cause of his coming, would have hastened away, but Nestor detained him to tell him the extent of the Grecian calamities. He reminded him also how, at the time of the departure for Troy, Achilles and himself had been charged by their respective sires: the one to aspire to the highest pitch of glory; the other, as the elder, to keep watch over his friend and to guide his inexperience. "Now," said Nestor, "is the time for such guidance. If the gods so please, thou mayest win Achilles back to the common cause; but if not, let him at least send his soldiers to the field, and come thou, Patroclus, clad in his armor. Perhaps the very sight of it may drive back the Trojans."
Patroclus, strongly moved by this address, hastened to his friend, revolving in his mind what he had seen and heard. He told the prince the sad condition of affairs at the camp of their late associates; Diomede, Ulysses, Agamemnon, Machaon, all wounded, the rampart broken down, the enemy among the ships preparing to burn them and thus to cut off all means of return to Greece. While they spoke, the flames burst forth from one of the ships. Achilles, at the sight, relented so far as to entrust Patroclus with the Myrmidons for the onslaught and to lend him his armor that he might thereby strike the more terror into the minds of the Trojans. Without delay the soldiers were marshaled, Patroclus put on the radiant armor, mounted the chariot of Achilles, and led forth the men ardent for battle. But before his friend went, Achilles strictly charged him to be content with repelling the foe. "Seek not," said he, "to press the Trojans without me, lest thou add still more to the disgrace already mine." Then exhorting the troops to do their best, he dismissed them full of ardor to the fight.
Patroclus and his Myrmidons at once plunged into the contest where it raged hottest. At the sight of them the joyful Grecians shouted, and the ships reechoed the acclaim; but the Trojans, beholding the well-known armor, struck with terror, looked everywhere for refuge. First those who had got possession of the ship and set it on fire allowed the Grecians to retake it and extinguish the flames. Then the rest fled in dismay.