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The origins of the Trojan War are still a matter up for debate among both literature and history scholars. While most people know of Troy from Homer's work "The Iliad", whether or not it was based on a true event is still a matter of some debate. As recent as the late 1800s it was widely thought that Troy never existed and Homer invented the entire story. Then in the 1870s a German named Heinrich Schliemann discovered the site of Troy in what is now Turkey. It is believed that the first city on the site of Troy was around 3000 BC and the one described by Homer was actually the 7th city built on that site- sometime between the 12-14 century BC. Illium, or the city Homer called Troy, was actually destroyed at least a dozen times by invading forces since it was a very important base and controlled the Dardanelles straits and entrance to the Black sea. Why this particular war was fought is lost to time, but we can assume it was the same reason the other "Troys" were destroyed- they controlled water access to Asia Minor, the Black sea and the routes to what later became Dacia and Persia.

The Origin of the Trojan War in Homer's epic is fairly simple. The Hero Peleus is marring the sea-nymph Thetis - and it is your classic wedding of the year as Zeus, Hera, Athena and all the gods on Olympus were invited. Unfortunately Eris, goddess of discord is not invited. When she showed at the height of the feast she tossed a golden apple marked with the words "for the fairest" on it. Instantly three goddesses - Hera, Zeus's wife and goddess of women and marriage; Athena, goddess of wisdom, metalwork and crafts; and Aphrodite, goddess of love and beauty - clamor for the prize. Zeus, knowing that no matter whom he chose (Hera was his wife, whom he had a love/hate relationship with, and the other two depending on what myth you are reading either come from Zeus himself [Athena] or possibly his daughter, born of the sea or daughter of a Titan [Aphrodite]) the others would be offended, sought a way out. Instead of making the decision, he picked the Crown prince of Troy, Paris, who had shown himself to be a wise judge in a contest with Ares (god of War) over a Bull, as the arbiter.

All three goddesses offered bribes to Paris to judge her the winner of the Golden Apple, what they offered vary from myth to myth but here is what Homer lists. Hera promised to make him the ruler of Europe and Asia, Athena offered to make him the wisest ruler in the world and make his armies unbeatable. Finally Aphrodite promised him the heart of the most beautiful woman in the world, Helen - wife of Menelaus, king of the Greeks.

Tyndareus, Helen's father, was king of Sparta a major Greek king - and when his daughter came of age to wed had a similar problem as Paris had. Whomever he chose would be a lifelong enemy. He overcame this by having the list of suitors swear to safeguard the husband of Helen whomever she chose and their marriage. Each suitor agreed to these terms and Menelaus was chosen by Helen. When Paris arrived at Sparta on a diplomatic visit, Helen fell in love with him and he carried her off. The former suitors of Helen either came willingly, or were forced to join Menelaus in his attack on Troy. Thus began the Trojan War.

Learn more about this author, David Snipes.
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