Review: The Trojan War
Category: Wars
Author: Agamemnon
Rating: 89%
The Trojan War, culminating in the siege and sacking of Troy, was a conflict which took place around the 12th or 11th century BCE. It was fought between the Trojans and the Achaeans, over the madrigal rights to Helen of Troy; initial disagreements arose after Paris was awarded the love of Helen by the Goddess Aphrodite, despite the fact that she was already married to Menelaus. Paris ten fled with Helen to Troy, and Menelaus gave pursuit- bringing with him an army the likes of which the world had never seen, under the command of Agamemnon, his brother and king of the Mycenae. The siege of Troy lasted for ten years, and when it was finally defeated via the cunning of Odysseus it was razed to the ground.
The Trojan War is a big favourite- that first war to which all other wars must be compared. What could be more compelling? Warfare by land and sea, involving great heroes and gods walking on earth in human form; courage, cunning and carnage... Ideal. It’s become the unrelenting subject of human art and endeavour for the whole life of modern civilization on Earth. It even stands the test of modern expectations though; the weaponry might seem dated, but all the necessary elements are there.
World War One was sometimes known as the ‘war to end all wars’, exhibiting the kind of hilarious optimism so epidemic in the human species. In any case, it seems likely that the Trojan War was the war to begin all wars; to set the tone and the precedent for all subsequent conflicts. I think we can all agree that a war to begin all wars makes a lot more sense than a war to end all wars- and Troy set a very high standard for conflicts in years to come.
A vital element of the Trojan War’s success is the divine intervention. The Greek pantheon are very helpful in this respect, and unlike the Abrahamic God have no qualms about getting involved on both sides of the conflict. Zeus and Hera really knew how to keep the flame of war alive, and Troy as an event certainly owed more to the incredible team of Gods working tirelessly behind the scenes than to ostensible heroes like Hektor and Achilles. There’s no doubt that they prolonged the conflict beyond comparison, and the whole thing is just so much more colourful with some supernatural pyrotechnics.
If I had one criticism, it would be that there’s not enough of a moral slant going on. The Greeks seem to be mildly evil, but not decisively, so it’s hard to know whether good triumphs over evil. Equally, there’s no underdog- the fortress of Troy had never been breached, and the Achaean army couldn’t be defeated. Sure there’s the spectacle of irresistible force meeting immovable object, but where’s the humanity? It’s a niggling doubt, but a doubt nonetheless.
Often, in war, it’s difficult to pinpoint an exact winner. Not so with Troy- the old horse trick was enough to ensure a total victory- and what a great and original way of doing it! So creative, so unexpected... masterful. There’s not very much information, but it’s safe to assume that the death toll was respectably high. When you take into account the destruction wreaked within the walls, we’re definitely on the right side of slaughter. The Trojan horse, and the sacking of Troy, are the perfect end to the perfect war: five stars.
