History Myth Busters:The Trojan Horse

There are many similarities in the story of The Illiad by Homer compared to the actual "Trojan War" event. But lets separate FACT from FICTION.

One of the most important and infamous roles in both The Illiad and battle was that of the Trojan Horse. What really happened during this time and what about this horse did Homer add to his story to make it more entertaining for the readers? Did an actual horse even exist during the Trojan War?

In the story of The Illiad, before the fall of Troy, the Archaen Commanders are trying to get pass these huge walls of Troy and are almost ready to give up. But before they do, Odysseus comes up with a plan to allow them in by tricking the Trojans by hiding in this massive wooden horse. The plan worked and Odysseus and his men succeed in entering and killing the Trojan men. Now was this really what happened during the actual days of the Trojan War? Again, Did a trojan horse even exist? If so was that its original purpose?

Some historians speculate that this "Trojan Horse" may have actually been a battering ram, resembling a horse. This was a machine of ancient times and a large, heavy log that was designed to break open walls or structures with the help and force of people pushing it. Could it have possibly been that the use and description of this object could have developed into a myth over time? Also it is said that ancient Assyrians used siege machines named after animals...it is very well possible that the Trojan HORSE was one of them.

It is also said that the City of Troy was destroyed by an earthquake. It has also been speculated that the Trojan Horse could be metaphorical for an earthquake that occurred during the war that may have weakened Troy's walls and left them open for attack. Therfore, it would make since for Homer to use the horse as a means of destruction in the city of Troy just as the Earthquake actually did in real life. The Greek god Poseidon was god of the seas, horses, and earthquakes! Hmm...something to think about! Structural damage on Troy VI – its location being the same as that in The Iliad and the artifacts found there suggesting it was a place of great trade and power – shows signs that there was indeed an earthquake.  

So all in all we can prove that the City of Troy was real, and that it was really destroyed based on factual evidence.  But to say that Homer was factually correct in saying the city was destroyed with the help and use of a wooden horse, is most likely a MYTH! His ideas and imagination helped create this fictional character and made for a more interesting story.

Sites and Sources: 

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2004/05/0514_040514_troy_2.htmlhttp://www.trojanhorsefacts.com/truthormyth.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trojan_Horsel

http://books.google.com/books?id=yA_KG1dZJ4wC&lpg=PA125&dq=Helen%20of%20Troy%20Bettany%20Hughes&pg=PA2#v=onepage&q=Helen%20of%20Troy%20Bettany%20Hughes&f=false

                          

Achievements and Setbacks of Great Leaders

A lot of great leaders can show a mixture of achievements and or setbacks based on how others view them. A leader may choose to do something but based on their actions may not be viewed as an achievement to everyone, and sometimes can be looked at as a failure. Setbacks can also shape a leader and their role based on whether or not it is a physical, mental, or spiritual set back. In some cases, setbacks may even lead to achievements. We are all human, we all will encounter failure, but how we react or respond to that is what really matters. However, depending on who and the situation they may be in, I may or may not think less of them as a leader when they show weakness or encounter failure.

Muhammad Ali was a great leader that showed people all over the world that he was a great boxer, who pretty much came from nothing. Growing up in the segregated south, he faced prejudice and discrimination. But rising above this he became known world-wide, an Olympic Gold-Medalist, Heavy-Weight Boxing Champ and more. But a huge setback caused him his title and suspended him from the sport for three and a half years...all because he refused to join the military during the draft, because of religious beliefs.