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The story of the Trojan War is one of the most famous in Greek legend. When the Trojan prince, Paris, abducted Menelaus’ beautiful wife, Helen, Menelaus enlisted the Greeks, led by his brother, King Agamemnon of Mycenae, to retrieve his reluctant bride. The result was 10 years of bloody siege and the death of many Greek heroes, including Hector and Achilles.
The war was finally won thanks to Odysseus’ brilliant scheme. On his instruction, the Greeks sailed away, as if in defeat, leaving behind a huge wooden horse. Thinking the horse was an offering to the gods, the Trojans wheeled it into the city. At nightfall, a crack team of Greek warriors emerged from the horse and opened the city gates to the returning Greek army. Troy was sacked and burned to the ground.
The myth was turned on its head when German archaeologist, Heinrich Schliemann, discovered the real city of Troy – which had in fact been burned down c.1220BC. It is now accepted that the Trojan War did really happen, although it was more likely fought over trade routes than love.
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