THE WAR OF TROY The future mother pretended to accept.

But she assigned a servant the sad task of

abandon the baby on Mount Ida, and bring with him the corpse of another child. Priam does not
Paris and Helena He knew nothing: he thought his order had been executed. Hecuba, for her part, was begging for
the gods so that their son would be discovered and saved.
And that happened: the baby was found by a bear that, instead of devouring it,
The wedding of Thetis, the sea goddess, and Peleus, king of Thessaly, was about to be celebrated. nursed him. Later, a good shepherd found him, adopted him, and named him Paris.
soon in Olympus. One day, as an adult, Paris went to Troy to participate in some games.
those who attended were Priam, his wife Hecuba and their daughter, the young Cassandra. The value of that
Let's organize a sumptuous banquet! declared Zeus.
Let's invite all the gods! - added Hera, his wife. the boy dazzled them.
—To everyone? Ah, no. We shouldn't invite Discord. —That stranger is getting an advantage over all his opponents!—exclaimed Priam—.
Is it possible that he is the son of a simple shepherd?
Discord, also called Eris, was not a kind deity: wherever
was present, knew nothing but to sow fights, disturbances, and conflicts. Zeus and Now, Cassandra had the gift of prophecy. As soon as she saw the young man,
They rarely reached an agreement. But on this occasion, they shared the I immediately knew who it was about:
"No," he affirmed, turning pale. "It is your son... and my brother!"
opinión: ¡Discordia no sería invitada a la boda!
The party was cheerful: a complete success. Aphrodite, Athena, and all the deities of Priam called Paris and summoned the one who had educated him. His investigation was
Olympus chatted happily while the beautiful Apollo sang, accompanied by the quickly, the truth was revealed! And the king was so happy to have found his
chorus of the muses. son who forgot about the prophecy of his wife's dream.
Now, Discord was hovering near the palace. Offended for having been Once turned back into a prince, Paris chose to spend most of his
left aside, I was thinking about how to take revenge. Taking advantage of a moment of time watching over his father's flocks in the surrounding area of the city of Troy...
distraction of the guests, slipped into the banquet hall and left on the table
a magnificent golden apple on which was written: FOR THE MOST BEAUTIFUL.
As soon as he had disappeared, Hera saw the apple.
What a marvel! she exclaimed. Who has brought me this gift? Hermes, with the apple in hand, quickly located Paris on the slopes of
May I? said Aphrodite, seizing the fruit. It's clear that I... Mount Ida. It appeared before him, with its winged sandals; as the shepherd felt fear, the god
he calmed him down:
is it destined: am I not the goddess of beauty?
"Slow down," Athena interjected. "I expect you to correspond with me in full." Don't be afraid, Paris! I am sent by Zeus to settle a tie among three.
Right. Have you not always claimed, father, that I was the most beautiful? —she concluded goddesses. You must choose the most beautiful one. Here is an apple. Give it to the one who is yours.
turning towards Zeus. preference.
The king of the gods found himself in a dilemma: after all, Athena was his daughter. Astonished, Paris let her give him the magnificent golden apple and when he raised
preferred. But, in choosing her, he was afraid of upsetting his wife. And he didn't want her to get angry. the head, he saw before him three women whose beauty dazzled him... three goddesses! His gaze
she went from one to the other and, of course, she was unable to decide. Athena stepped forward, took the
Aphrodite.
he took the pastor's hand and whispered in his ear:
—Well, what do our guests think?
It was the question that shouldn't have been asked! The most diverse opinions were expressed. If you choose me, Paris, you will become a powerful king! I, goddess of war,
Each one chose, to flatter her, the goddess whose protection or friendship they wished to obtain. I will teach you the art of combat and make you an invincible sovereign.
No one agreed. Hidden not far from there, Discord was rubbing its hands. --Wait! --Hera interrupted, approaching as well--. Have you recognized me,
—¡Dejen de pelear! —tronó Zeus reclamando silencio—. Aquí nadie puede ser Paris? I am the wife of Zeus! Fight? With my protection, you won't need to!
And I promise you that you will reign over Asia Minor.
judge with objectivity. They will therefore go to Mount Ida. Hermes will accompany them with
the apple. It will be entrusted to a shepherd who will give it to whoever he judges to be the most beautiful. And its During that time, Aphrodite had unfastened her tunic to appear in
Opinion will be law! all its splendor.
Zeus had spoken. His decision also pleased the three goddesses: each one —I said—, I offer you even more. If your choice falls on me, you will obtain the
I was very sure that I would win! love of that one whose beauty is equal to mine... daughter that the human Leda had with Zeus:
Helena.
Helena was courted by all the sovereigns of Greece. She was so beautiful that Theseus
he had kidnapped her to try to marry her when she was only twelve years old. Paris
He did not hesitate: to the great sorrow of Hera and Athena, he bowed to Aphrodite and gave her
That day, on Mount Ida, the one who was grazing his flock was the
young and seductive Paris. Now, Paris was not a shepherd like the others... Just before apple. No one saw, hidden in the groves nearby, an enchanted goddess.
Upon giving birth, her mother, Hecuba, dreamed that she gave birth to a burning rock that destroyed the by the turn that the story took. Of course, it was Discord; her apple continued to yield
city of Troy, of which her husband, Priam, was the king. effect.
Oh, this omen is clear! exclaimed this. Our son will provoke the
destruction of our kingdom. As soon as he is born, we will kill him!

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Helena until she is returned to her husband.

At the moment this scene was taking place on Mount Ida, the famous Helena --And now, Helena --Tíndaro urged her--, make up your mind!
she was in Sparta. Surrounded by her suitors, she was faced with a I choose Menelaus, king of Sparta,
difficult choice:
This time - his adoptive father, Tíndaro, said to him - you must make up your mind! Everyone
Kings of the cities of Greece are here, which one do you choose?
Ah, father, whatever my decision may be, I know it will bring disasters. So many That Helena becoming the wife of Menelaus did not prevent
My friends complain about their ugliness... I envy them, as my beauty is a burden to me. Aphrodite fulfilled her promise: she made Paris feel such passion in his heart for
weight... Helena, que este, aunque nunca había visto hasta el momento a la mujer de la que estaba
It was true that Helena had already triggered numerous conflicts: several in love, he immediately went in search of his father Priam.
sovereigns had fought over her. —Exactly, I wanted to see you! —he said—. You have to get married and secure your
"By taking a husband," she said, "I will stir new passions! Those who have..." descendant. I have a girl to introduce to you: her name is Enone.
they will want to kill my husband or kidnap me! Enone left Paris indifferent; as her father insisted, she got married. But she ceased to
Then, exclaimed Ulysses.1, who was king of Ithaca—, those of us who are not quickly pay attention, for he thought only of Helena.
chosen ones, we must unite around a promise: let us swear to pursue anyone who attempts One morning, Priam summoned his son to the palace:
separate Helena from her husband... —Paris—he said—, I have a mission to entrust to you: I must send an ambassador.
The king of Sparta, Menelaus, approved it. He turned to Agamemnon, his brother, al rey Menelao, de Esparta. He pensado que...
king of Argos, and towards the other suitors gathered there. Sparta! The city where beautiful Helen was. Paris exclaimed:
This solution seems reasonable to me. What do you think? Ah, father, I'm giving birth right now!
The Greeks accepted. Paris didn't even say goodbye to Enone. That very night he left the city of
Troy to set sail for Greece. When it appeared in the city's palace, the
guards told him:
What a pity! King Menelaus has just left for Crete.
attend an important funeral there.
—It doesn't matter! —exclaimed a female voice behind them—. In their absence,
I receive the ambassadors. Come in, foreigner. Who are you?
As soon as Menelaus's wife saw Paris, her heart skipped a beat. Because of her
part, the envoy from Troy believed he would faint from passion. With his voice altered by the
emotion, replied:
I am Paris, son of Priam, king of Troy, and descendant of the great Zeus...
Helena had no doubts: Paris was as beautiful as a god!
As soon as the guards left the young people alone, one of them rushed in.
arms of the other.
Ah, Helena, let's flee! whispered Paris. Let's take advantage of your absence.
Husband. Let us go together to the good city of Troy.
I will go wherever you go. But I don't want to leave with empty hands.
Helena accumulated the riches of the palace in chests and, during the night, she
he secretly directed the ship to Paris. When dawn broke, the guards had to
surrender to the evidence: the queen had not only plundered her husband's possessions, but
that he was leaving to go away with a foreigner!
On the ship returning to Troy, Paris and Helena enjoyed the pleasures of
a reciprocal love. And up, in Olympus, Aphrodite, satisfied, watched smiling at
the lovers she had gathered.
When Menelaus returned from Crete, he let his anger explode:
—Traitors! Incompetents! —he shouted at the guards of his palace—. Quickly,
summon the kings of all the cities of Greece.
They attended. Menelaus announced the news to them:
—Paris has kidnapped Helena, my wife! Right now she is sailing.
Yes, they said in unison, we swear to fight against anyone who dares to kidnap. with her to Troy! Do you remember your promise?
Yes, brother,
1
The Greek name for Ulysses is actually Odysseus. We have adopted the Latin one because it is more well-known.

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We will gather our armies. We will set out for Troy. If necessary, we will besiege the
city and we will fight. But we will bring Helena back!
The Trojan War had been declared...

In Olympus, Aphrodite realized that the situation was beginning to overwhelm her.
Annoyed by the vain agitation of men, she returned to her palace and decided to put a
a little order. He had too many things and decided to get rid of some useless objects.
Accumulation... accumulation... -mumbled-. Huh, who could have done a
such a vulgar gift?
God turned the shiny object back and forth between his hands before bursting out
laughter.
That's it, I remember! How silly... And what a tasteless object
He threw it. It was a fruit. A golden fruit: the apple of Discord.

The four stories that make up this section have been taken from the epic tales of
Homero,La IlíadayLa Odisea.

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The wrath of Achilles a loot ten times greater than what you left to your most prestigious warriors?
An old man with a long white beard stands in the way. He is Calcante, the seer.
—Achilles—he murmurs—, I advised the king to return Chryseis. The oracles
Ten years... Soon it will be ten years since the Greeks, under the command relentless: it was the only way to calm Apollo and to end the plague that
from Agamemnon, they began the siege of the city of Troy! Of all the fighters, don't tire us out!
Achilles is the bravest. Nothing more normal: his father descends from Zeus himself and I do not doubt your oracle, Calchas,
his mother, the goddess Thetis, has the god of the ocean as her ancestor! Has Agamemnon taken Briseis from me? After each battle, it always happens the same.
But that night, the brave Achilles returns exhausted and disheartened: Troy same: The king is served first, and to his heart's content! He leaves nothing but worthless things to the
seems impossible to take and, to make matters worse, the plague, which has recently been declared, attacks they fight on the front line!
without forgiveness to the Greeks. Agamemnon pales. Mastering his irritation, he puffs out his chest and throws to his best
When he enters his store, he sees his best friend, Patroclus, who is waiting for him. soldier
Ah, faithful Patroclus! he exclaims, opening his arms. I didn’t even see you in the Do you forget, Achilles, that you are speaking to your king?
battle fire... Wait: I will greet Briseida and I am all yours. —A king! Are you worthy of that, Agamemnon, who knows nothing but to give orders and
Briseida is a Trojan slave whom Achilles took after the assault. separate yourself from the battles? It is especially after the battle when we see you, stop the
from the previous week, after the usual distribution of the loot. The young prisoner had distribution of the loot!
cast a pleading glance, and Achilles succumbed to her charm. Briseis herself did not You are insulting me, Achilles!
he seemed indifferent to his new master. No. You have offended me by stealing Briseis from me! I demand that you return her to me.
Achilles pulls aside the curtain, but Briseis's room is empty. Could it be that the that slave belongs to me by right!
The beautiful slave escaped? Impossible: Briseida loves him, Achilles would bet his life on it. No way! Would you dare to challenge your king, Achilles?
And, moreover, the Greeks are surrounding the walls of the city! Confused, Patroclus gives a Agamemnon doesn't have time to finish the sentence: Achilles draws his sword... when
step towards his friend: the goddess Athena appears to him.
And yes, Briseida has departed, Achilles! I came to warn you. Agamemnon, our king, —Calm down, fiery Achilles! —he murmurs in a conciliatory tone—. You have others
he has ordered that they take her... means to take revenge on the king without killing him, believe me.
How? Has he dared? The vision fades. Achilles, who is the only one who has seen the goddess, keeps
He pales and clenches his fists. Achilles has great qualities: he is, by far, the his sword.
warrior more fighter and faster. Haven't they nicknamed him Achilles of light feet? Without —Good! —he decides with a firm voice—. Stay with Briseida. But know that, to
in his presence, the Greeks should have abandoned the site a hundred times and should from now on, I will no longer get involved in the fights. After all, what do I
having returned to their homeland! On the other hand, an oracle predicted that the Trojan war did not Does that famous Helen, whom Paris has kidnapped, matter to your brother? The Trojans never...
could be won without him... But he also has some flaws: he is impulsive, hot-tempered, They haven't done anything to me!
very, very sensitive. And before Menelaus, husband of Helen, who casts him a stunned glance at
Let me explain —Patroclus said in a conciliatory tone— do you remember Agamemnon, Achilles turns on his heels and leaves.
Cressida? Once in his store, he can't contain his tears. Yes: Achilles cries, so much of
Do you want to talk about the slave that Agamemnon kept when resentment like rage. For the loss of Briseida is added the humiliation of having
Shall we divide the loot? he was dispossessed of it in front of all his companions. He cannot forgive that.
—Her herself. The father of Criseida, a priest, wanted to recover his daughter. A king!
Despite the enormous rescue he offered, Agamemnon has refused.
-You have done well!
The problem - continued Patroclus, sighing - is that this priest, in order to
to take revenge, has aroused the wrath of Apollo upon us. That is the reason for the plague that The next day, in the evening, Patroclus goes to visit Achilles who, throughout the
Diminish our ranks! It will succeed, for Agamemnon returned Chryseis to her father. day, did not move from his tent: has a bad face.
tomorrow. But the king wanted to replace his lost slave. And he ordered that they come to —Estoy extenuado —suspira el amigo de Aquiles desplomándose sobre una silla
look for Briseida. Today we lost many men. Your bravery has been greatly missed! When the
Far from calming Achilles, this explanation increases his anger. Pushing aside his Trojans confirmed that you were not participating in the battle, their fervor intensified.
friend Patroclus rushes out of the tent, in a few steps, he reaches the Achilles does not respond. Everyone knows that for the city of Troy to be taken, its
king's camp. All the kings of the islands and cities are found there. presence or his action are indispensable. Wait for Agamemnon, deprived of his best
Greece. Achilles pushes Menelaus, Odysseus, and three soldiers who do not move away. warrior, I end up returning Briseida to him. And who knows if he even comes to plead with him
quite fast. to reintegrate into the fight?
—Agamemnon! —he cries as he stands before him with legs apart—. This But Achilles also remembers a dire prediction: the seer Calchas.
That is too much! By what right do you take away the slave I have chosen for myself? he has revealed to his mother that, if he went to Troy, he would die there shortly after
Do you forget that you did it before me? And that, besides Chryseis, you have claimed for yourself that Hector, son of Priam and the most famous of the Trojan warriors! To divert the

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destiny, Thetis, the mother of Achilles, used thousands of tricks: to make him immortal, —Come... but I beg you to be cautious! —replies Achilles as he embraces
he sank his son in the Stygian lake. But he could not fully submerge him and the heel remained. your friend.
which held it remained as the only vulnerable point of his body. Then, Thetis During the afternoon, the hero's long nap is interrupted: a Greek warrior
disguised his son as a woman and sent him to the island of Scyros to protect him. But Ulysses He enters his store. He is exhausted and flooded with tears.
he managed to find Achilles and lead him to Troy. —Achilles! —he groans—. Misfortune has struck us! Patroclus has...
Ah, Patroclus! sighs Achilles. What have I come to do here? How I... Dead! Hector, the most intrepid of the Trojans, pierced him with his spear! Even,
I regret not having stayed in Thessaly! In my homeland, I could have lived life. has stripped away your armor. Our enemies are fighting over their body.
calm of a herder... With these words, Achilles rises to shout his pain to the gods. He tears his hair.
The following week, Patroclus enters Achilles' tent filled with joy to the hair rolls on the ground and covers the face with dirt. It sobs while groaning:
to announce to him/her: —Patroclus, my brother, my only true friend!
Ready! The end of the war is near! Paris and Menelaus are about to face each other. Dead. Patroclus is dead. The suffering that Achilles experiences doubles his
tomorrow in a single combat! The one who wins will get Helena and the camp. cholera; then divert its fury:
the loser must submit to the laws of the winner! Damn Hector! Where is he? Ah, Patroclus, I swear to take revenge. I will not attend your ...
Why not? grunts Achilles, as surprised as he is disappointed. funerals without having killed Hector with my own hands!
Indeed, his blackmail is thus thwarted. If the oracle has spoken the truth, !the Crazy with pain, Achilles arms himself quickly and rushes out of his tent. He marches towards
the defeat of the Greeks is certain! However, the following night, cries, shouts and the the walls of the besieged city and lets out a furious cry three times that the Trojans,
the noise of the swords pushes Achilles to leave his tent: before the walls of Troy, the astonished, they tremble in terror on the walls. The horses themselves neigh in
enemy armies confront each other with ferocity. terror. Very quickly, the Greeks take advantage of this confusion: they manage to take the
The duel was postponed, Patroclus' body while Achilles throws over a dozen enemies at them.
They broke the truce and the war has restarted! ensarta. When the number thirteen succumbs, it hears, close by, a voice that moans:
At that moment, another Greek warrior arrives. Upon recognizing Ulysses, Achilles... —Polidoro... You just killed my brother Polidoro!
get up to greet him. Achilles turns to the Trojan who is lamenting: it is Hector himself!
Come in, my friend, he says. I was about to have dinner. Before you reveal to me what One second, the two champions face each other with their gaze. And the prediction, one last one
What brings you here, come share some meat and wine! "You will die soon after Hector." Thus, avenging
Achilles admires Odysseus, but he learned to distrust him, for that hero, To Patroclus, Achilles will hasten his own end. It doesn't matter! With a shout of fury, he attacks the
famous for his deceptions, he certainly did not come to pay a courtesy visit. murderer of his friend, who flees!
Once dinner is over, Ulysses declares: Three times the opponents go around the city, stopping only to
The king sends me before you to invite you to resume the battle... exchange terrible thrusts. Exhausted, Hector stops abruptly. He throws his spear,
—No way! —replies Achilles, yawning as he throws himself down on his that Achilles avoids. Then he spots the jugular in his enemy's armor, adjusts if
bed. he plunges his sword there! Hector, with his throat pierced, collapses and
Don't be stubborn. Agamemnon finally apologizes: he agrees to return you to expires.
Briseida. To that he adds ten talents of gold, twelve horses, seven slaves, and he Ignoring the cries of desperation from the Trojans who followed the battle
If Troy is taken, I promise to let you load all your ships with gold. What do you say? From the city walls, Achilles strips the corpse of its armor. He ties up
Too late, Ulysses, it's useless: I no longer want to fight. Héctor by the feet a cart, gives a whip to the horses and, three times, goes around the
Joining gesture to word, Achilles turns his back on his visitor. city dragging the body through the dust. Then it leaves it on the ground, near its
Yes - explains Patroclus, sighing - his anger has not subsided. Achilles has store.
decided to make a face. May they be prey to the vultures and the jackals! —orders.
Abandoned the corpse without burial, the soul of the deceased will never have
rest. The hero then turns to the body of Patroclus that the Greeks,
in the meantime, they have placed it on a pyre1funeral.
A few days later, Patroclus has such a sad face that, upon entering the —Now, go, Patroclus! —he whispers, stifling a sob. Reach in peace.
Achilles' store, he asks him: the kingdom of Hades!
Are the news really that bad? Here is Troy deprived of its best warrior. But the vengeance of Achilles is
—Yes! Don't you hear the gasps of our warriors dying a few steps away? bitter, for it has the taste of its own death.
From here? Oh, we are going to lose the war. Oh, Achilles —adds Patroclus pointing,
corner of the store, the armor and helmet of his friend—would you allow me to fight?
today carrying your weapons?
Of course! What is mine belongs to you. But why?
Dressed like this, I will sow terror among the Trojans: upon seeing your armor, they will believe
that you have resumed the fight.
They lit a bonfire where the corpses were burned.
1

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himself to his father, and adds:

You are exhausted, Priam. Come, then, to drink and eat. Stay here and sleep.
without fear. I promise you will return to Troy when dawn comes, with the body of your son,
without being disturbed.

The funeral pyre of Patroclus will not be kindled: the next day, after
from the departure of Priam, and while Achilles launches a terrible assault against the walls of
Troy, Helena's raptor, Paris in person, slips out of the city, without a doubt.
thanks to the advice of Apollo, his protecting god. He sees Achilles running and,
his bow, releases an arrow that is going to pierce... exactly into the warrior's foot!
Achilles, whose heel is pierced, falls. He pulls out the arrow, sees that the blood continues.
flowing and understands that her life is leaving with it. The oracle has spoken the truth.
—Patroclus, I will meet you! —he shouts before exhaling a last breath.
Achilles dies. Now that his fate has been fulfilled, Troy will fall, just as
the oracle predicted it. But how? By what trick? For Achilles has
dead, and Troy still stands...
The Greeks disputed the body of the great Achilles with the Trojans, and it
they led to his store. The beautiful Briseida flooded the body of a master with tears that
She had no time to love. She herself lit the pyre on which the corpses lay.
of the two faithful friends. As required by custom, he cut the long braids of his
hair to throw them into the flames.
Once the ashes of Achilles, mixed with those of Patroclus, were
collected, the Greeks enclosed them in the same urn, which they buried at the top of
a hill.

Today, the passengers of the ships that cross the ancient Hellespont can,
still, see this hill2The urn no longer exists and the ashes, for a long time,
they have mixed with the ruins of Troy... A city that the poet Homer called Ilium,
and that Ulysses would have to achieve through an astonishing trick.

During the night, a suspicious noise jolts Achilles out of his bed. No
he has time to take his sword: trembling hands are already surrounding his
knees. By the light of the moon, the hero, astonished, recognizes Priam, father of Hector!
How did this old man manage to leave the besieged Troy and infiltrate here?
—Achilles! —moans Priam—. I come to implore you. I had fifty sons. Almost
everyone has perished in this endless war. And you have killed Hector, my son This is the main theme of The Iliad. Centuries later, Achilles and Odysseus will reappear in
beloved! I beg you, return his body to me. the famous work of Dante Alighieri The Divine Comedy.
In the face of the despair and courage of that old man who dares to throw himself into
the feet of his worst enemy, Achilles finds himself bewildered.
—Te he traído regalos costosísimos —agrega Príamo, sollozando.
Get up, the hero replies, moved to tears.
So, leaving her shop, she goes to collect Hector's corpse to return it to him. Currently, it is the Strait of Dardanelles, which connects the Aegean Sea with the Sea of Marmara.
2

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 The Trojan horse gigantic that cannot pass through any of the city gates: the Trojans
They must tear down the walls to let him in!
Do you think they will risk that? asked the king.
With his back to the walls of the inaccessible city of Troy, Odysseus was thinking, Yes, if they are convinced that we have broken camp, and if they see
the gaze lost in the nearby sea... disappear our ships on the horizon! In reality, they will reach the island of
He was thinking of Ithaca, the island now distant from which he was king; he was thinking of Penelope, her You have to, it's close to here. Once the horse has entered the city, our
wife, whom he had left there, and in his son, Telemachus, who must have grown a lot. spy, at night, at the moment it deems appropriate, will light a fire on the
Ten years! - he murmured, controlling his sadness - It's been ten years since I left. walls. Our armies will disembark before dawn and penetrate the city.
Ten lost years besieging a city. And all this to honor a promise and Epeo, the carpenter who had built the barracks, stood up to cry out:
to force Paris to return beautiful Helen to her husband Menelaus... —I like this strategy! Building a horse like this seems possible to me: the
How many victims during that endless war that continued to face the Mount Ida, which is near here, is abundant in century-old oaks.
Trojans with the Greeks! The best had perished: Hector, the champion of Troy, and As for me,
the Greek hero, Achilles. Paris himself had fallen to a poisoned arrow. near the horse! I will deceive the Trojans: once the giant statue is installed
But Helena was captured. And the city still would not surrender. In the city, I will bring out from their depths those who will be hidden!
"However," declared a voice near Ulysses, "the war is going to end. It's risky, murmured Agamemnon, stroking his beard. The Trojans
soon, and Troy will be destroyed. Yes: the oracles are precise. They can kill you, Sinón. It is also possible that they will never let that horse in, or that
Ulysses recognized Calchas, the old seer. And when he was about to reply with a they quickly discover those who are inside them.
irony, a crazy idea crossed his mind. Of course! But aren't you tired of this war? And aren't you in a hurry to
Are you mulling over some trick, aren't you, Ulysses? asked the old man. return to their homes?
The king of Ithaca nodded, before adding with exasperation: They responded with unanimous shouts: that place had lasted too long. In the eyes
How do you guess my thoughts before I express them? From the Greeks, all risks were worth more than prolonging the wait.
You forget, replied Calcante, that this is my job. And we all know that,
Of us, you are the most cunning. Speak!
No. First I must reflect; then I will present my project to our
allies. From the top of the walls of his city, King Priam, astonished, watched
That very night, King Agamemnon gathered all the leaders of Greece who to his enemies: they were burning the shacks of their camps, folding their
They were besieging Troy. Odysseus then declared to them: stores and heading to their ships.
This is my idea: we are going to build a huge wooden horse... The Greeks are leaving! he was astonished. They are lifting the siege!
“A horse?” exclaimed Agamemnon, who was expecting a battle plan that was less Father, don't trust him. It's a trap, it will lead you to defeat...
extravagant. Cassandra, the prophetess of the city, was far from sharing her optimism.
Yes. A horse so large that it will allow us to hide inside its guts, in secret, father. Oh! No one believed in his predictions.
to a hundred of our bravest warriors. Meanwhile, we will dismantle Casandra was so beautiful that she had seduced Apollo himself. She had said to him: 'You
our stores and we will head to our ships. It is necessary for the Trojans to see I would gladly belong, but grant me first the gift of prophecy." Apollo had
our ships depart from the coast. spoiled. Once she received the gift, Cassandra rejected the god, mocking him. As
One of Ulises' companions, named Sinon, exclaimed, I thought it was unworthy to take back what I had given him, Apollo declared:
scandalized —Alright... You can read the future, Cassandra, but no one will ever believe in your
You're crazy! So, do you want to lift the siege? predictions!
—Wait, Sinon: you forget the hundred Greeks hidden inside the horse! It's a trick, father, I know, I'm sorry...
On the other hand, one of us will stay near the statue. After our Come on, Casandra, don't say nonsense: if the Greeks wanted to return, they wouldn't...
departure, will be captured by the Trojans. This is what the spy will tell them: fed up with the siege, they would be destroying those barracks that took them so long to build! Look, several
The Greeks returned to their homelands. To win Athena's favor, they have built her. Ships are already at sea.
this horse... Father, do you remember what I predicted when Paris returned here with the beautiful one?
—Athena? —Agamemnon was surprised—. But Athena is the protector of Helena, has it been ten years already?
our enemies! Its statue is in Troy, the Paladium! —Yes! I remember that you tore the golden veil of your headdress... You ripped off the
Exactly: our enemies will think that we want to ingratiate ourselves! hair and you cried prophesying the loss of our city. You were wrong: we have
Ulises explained. I am sure that, in order not to offend Athena, the Trojans will allow in holding the place and we won! Cassandra —added Priam—, my eyes are too
in the city that horse that is dedicated to her. spent to see what the Greeks are building on the coast. What is it?
--Yaveo! --Agamemnon admitted--. Do you want, then, to throw away our best It looks like a statue,
men in the wolf's mouth?
No. I want, on the contrary, to have the corral opened. For this horse will be so

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from the party that had now fallen silent. Suddenly, a woman's voice emerged beneath the
Three days later, the Trojans had to surrender to the evidence: the Greeks feet of the silent warriors
They had left! From the top of the walls, only the deserted plain could be seen. Ah, dear compatriots, why have you abandoned me? My husband, now,
where so many men had fallen and, out there, in the sea, the last sails of the ships Where are you? Do you know that, after the death of Paris, Deiphobus, his own brother,
enemies. On the beach, the strange monument that the Greeks had abandoned. Did he force me to share his bed? And you, brave Odysseus, have you also left?
Intrigued King Priam, who declared: It was beautiful Helena. Menelaus was about to respond to her, but Odysseus covered him.
Let's see what it is! mouth with the hand. For a while, Helena groaned under the horse. Then, her voice
For the first time in ten years, the doors of the city were opened. she moved away. But another one appeared:
When the Trojans discovered a sumptuous horse on the seashore —Ulysses? Diomedes? Ajax? Neoptolemus? Menelaus? I am Sinon! The
wood taller than a temple, they could not contain their surprise and admiration. Trojans are resting! I turned on the signal several hours ago. Dawn is approaching...
—Priam! —shouted a Trojan who had ventured underneath the animal. Quick, get out!
We just found a Greek warrior tied to one of the legs! Immediately, inside the statue, Epeo removed the braces that supported the
They ran to untie the stranger and pressed him with questions. But the chest. The wall wavered. Ulysses let some ropes fall. And a hundred armed warriors
the man refused to answer. one by one they emerged from the entrails of the horse. At the same time, the Greek ships,
Cut off his nose and ears! they were pushed by a favorable wind, landed on the beach. The armies of
Tortured, the unfortunate Greek ended up confessing. Agamemnon launched towards open Troy. Meanwhile, the Greeks who emerged from
My name is Sinón. Yes, our ships have set sail! Thanks to the advice of the horses invaded the sleeping city, Ulysses was shouting victory.
diviner Calcante, the Greeks have built this offering to Athena so that the goddess may The Trojans barely had time to understand what was happening: most of them died.
forgive the offense made to your city. To obtain a favorable sea, Ulysses wanted As soon as he woke up. The bravest, still not recovered from the night party, did not
to drown myself and immolate myself to Poseidon. But I escaped and took refuge under the statue. So as not to they opposed more than a ridiculous resistance. The less reckless were saved only
to anger Athena, to whom he asked for protection, Odysseus resigned himself to binding me there. why they fled.
—A tribute to Athena! —exclaimed Priam, amazed. While through the streets, like through a stream, the blood of the slain Trojans flowed,
Are we going to leave her on the beach, exposed to the wind and the rain?" they asked. Neoptolemus, son of Achilles, found Priam kneeling in front of the altar of Zeus. Without
various trojans. piety, beheaded the king. Further away, Menelaus found Helena in the room of
—Yes! —Cassandra said, shuddering—. Even more: we will burn this offering Deiphobus, brother of Paris. He killed him with a thrust before throwing himself towards his wife,
impious. It is a poisoned gift that our enemies have left us. finally reunited. Ajax, upon entering the temple, found the beautiful Cassandra at the foot of
Shut up! - the king replied to his daughter - Let a platform be built! the statue of Athena.
Let them bring rollers! Let them drive this horse to our city, near the temple "Ah!" he exclaimed. "I've wanted you for so long!"
built in honor of the goddess! While Priam's daughter was deprived of her honor, the stone goddess, according to
It was a longer and more difficult job than expected. But one night, the horse was they say, he turned his head.
finally brought triumphantly to the city, before the Trojans gathered on the
walls. Oh, the doors were too narrow for him to pass through. After throwing
A glance at the deserted plain, Priam ordered:
-Let one of the city walls be torn down! When the day arose, nothing remained of Troy but the ruins; what not
Father —his daughter predicted trembling—, I see our city in flames, I see it had been destroyed, it was finishing burning. The Greeks were already loading their ships with the
thousands of corpses covering their streets! booty of the devastated city. Ulysses, in front of the astonishing horse that he had brought the
Nobody listened to Cassandra: the Trojans were subdued by that horse Victoria had to step aside suddenly: a woman of immense beauty was passing by.
splendid and monstrous at the same time, with the ears raised and the eyes embedded indifferent to the massacre that she had indirectly caused. It was Helena. The
gemstones. warriors, mute with admiration, stopped to contemplate her.
The animal was pushed to the temple of Athena, where a great began. Ulises felt a strange bitterness.
festival that gathered all the surviving Trojans: the war had ended, the "Let's go!" he suddenly said to his men, who were boarding the ship.
Greeks had left, and that horse was arriving just in time to celebrate a victory that had already This time, the war is over, let's return to our good island of Ithaca!
no one expected! He added for himself: "And next to Penelope, my dear wife, who has been with me for ten years now
Nobody cared about Sinón, who had been forgiven. is waiting for me.
Sliding among the revelers, the Greek spy reached the deserted walls; Oh, Ulysses did not know that he was far from returning to his homeland! The gods
he built a great pyre and, before lighting it, waited for the Trojans to fall, drunk they decided otherwise: another ten years would have to pass before he returned. The time
of dances and wine. of a long odyssey1.
As the hours passed, inside the horse, Ulysses and his companions '
they understood that their scheme was turning into success! They had heard the noise of the
fallen walls, the shouts of joy and victory of the Trojans and then the outcry The most famous adventures of Ulysses begin here. They are recounted by Homer in The Odyssey.
1

Greek (Odysseus) which means 'troubled journey'.

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The fall of Troy is the subject of a beautiful tragedy by Euripides called The Trojan Women.

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Penelope and Ulysses sitting. Others had brought barrels and had started to drink the king's wine. The
The bolder ones were already giving orders to the servants as if the palace belonged to them.
Penelope understood that she was lost: if she did not choose a husband, those nobles were going to
Turning her back on the crowd formed by her suitors gathered, to confront and to empty the palace. Among them, Eurymachus, the richest and most powerful, had the
Penelope was knitting, her gaze lost at sea. Sometimes, a long sigh escaped from her. the arrogance of the one who is sure of being chosen.
on her chest. She thought of Ulysses, her husband, who had left twenty years ago, and
sometimes surprised by saying:
Tell me, when will you return...?
Often, he addressed the one he continued to love this way, indefinitely prolonging the
echo of your presence.
—Penelope —Eurymachus suddenly said to her—, you must choose one of us!
At this point, Ulises must be dead, you know it perfectly well.
Penelope did not believe a word. Ten years earlier, she had found out that,
thanks to her husband's cunning, the city of Troy had finally been taken and
devastated.
But in her eyes, there would be no true victory until her husband returned.
Ithaca needs a king! When will you decide to marry again?
Should I repeat it to you, Eurymachus? - he replied softly - I will marry soon.
when I have finished my work.
It's been three years that you've been weaving that shroud! - grumbled Antinous, another
prince of the island—. It seems to me that you weave very slowly!
Weaving a shroud was a sacred task. Furthermore, it was destined for
Laertes, father of Odysseus, who was very old.
Perfidious, Eurymachus added:
Yes, your work is progressing poorly, Penelope. In my opinion, you should hurry up, because
Laertes' days are numbered.
Penelope shuddered without daring to reply. Day by day, the suitors to
The throne was restless. As for his son Telemachus, he had set out in search of his father.
Alone, Penelope was increasingly struggling to contain the impatience of all those
nobles who wanted to marry her to seize power. Faithful to Ulysses, the queen had lost
the youth, but not the hopes. He retired to his chambers without even directing a
look towards those greedy men.

Dawn was still far off when Penelope got up. She left her bedroom with
silent steps and arrived at the great hall of the palace. Approaching the shroud, he pulled the thread.
that stood out and began to unravel what had been done the previous day. This is the reason
for which her work was not progressing: for many months, Penelope had been undoing each Ah, Ulysses - murmured Penelope desperately - when will you return?
Night the work of the whole day! -Soon- a familiar voice whispered in his ear.
Suddenly she heard a noise, turned around, and recognized a maid who, The boy who had just joined the queen was not Ulysses... but Telemachus! His
Amazed, she watched her mistress's maneuver. only son was finally there. Penelope threw herself into his arms. The suitors
—Wait! —exclaimed Penelope—. Don't go, I'm going to explain to you! they remained momentarily puzzled by that unexpected interruption. The son of
But the girl had disappeared. And when Penelope entered in the morning, Ulises had grown in strength and beauty; his return was thwarting the plans of a hundred.
the hall of the palace was met by a hundred severe or mocking gazes. Furious, Eurymachus suitors. But Eurymachus, full of arrogance, said:
exclaimed: And well, Telemachus, have you found your father?
—Penelope, you have been mocking us! Your servant explained to us the —No. But I am sure he is alive. And I know he will be here soon.
stratagem! —he added, pointing to the shroud—. This time, you won't escape by that means. Wow, added Antinous observing Telemachus, you have hair on your chin.
from a betrayal. Today you will marry one of us! Now... what do you say, Penelope?
In a corner of the room, several suitors were comfortably situated. Telemachus's mother nodded trembling. Everyone knew that before departing,

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Ulises had told his wife: 'If I do not return, wait to marry again until our He took the bow in turn and tried to draw it. Without success.
"son have a beard". Give it to me,
This time, Penelope had no more reasons to back down. But choosing a protector It failed like the first two. The hours passed. And when night fell,
he found it hateful. And among those men he loathed, none was better than the other. no one had been able to shoot an arrow. It was then that the old man's voice was raised
Just as I was about to respond, a servant and a beggar showed up: beggar
—Eumeo! —exclaimed Penelope, smiling—. Come in, you are welcome! Maybe we need to soften that bow? May I?
Eumeo was the swineherd of the palace. He bowed and pointed to the man who him Before anyone could think of intervening, Telemachus extended the weapon to the
He was accompanied by a ragged beggar, older and even dirtier than him. unknown and pushed Penelope towards the door.
—Great queen —said Eumeo—, this traveler requests hospitality. Mother,
Come, good man, She wanted to protest. But with a sign from her son, Filecio forced her to leave the room.
Come, drink, and rest: in my palace you are at home. Once outside, Penelope heard them lock the door. Thoughtful, she returned to her chambers.
This palace - Eurymachus interrupted - will belong from now on to the Suddenly, he saw in his son's room dozens of swords and spears stacked up.
man you marry. Now we urge you to choose him! But... they are the weapons of my suitors! Who has ordered that the
The hundred suitors gathered approved, threatening. And while they... Why should we gather here? And why?
she resumed the conversation, Penelope was intrigued by the behavior of the old dog Coming from the palace hall, an immense clamor and screams of horror reached him.
her husband: the animal, which today was blind and almost disabled, had dragged its They answered. Then, a crazy hope invaded her heart...
corner, close to the empty throne of the king; when he reached the feet of the beggar, he raised the In front of the stunned suitors, the old beggar had just tightened,
cabeza, gimió con debilidad y lamió las manos del viajero, que lo estaba acariciando. without effort, the great bow of Ulysses! Taking advantage of his surprise, Telemachus, for his part,
After that, the dog, which seemed to smile, exhaled its last breath, curled up in I had fixed the twelve axes in a star shape on the wall, overlapping the holes.
the arms of that one. that pierced the end of each handle. The single hole they offered had become
—Damn flea, get out of here! —Eurymachus shouted at him. thus the center of a small white.
No - ordered Penelope, beset by a foreboding - Euriclea, bring a Telemachus exclaimed:
a vessel with warm water and wash our guest's feet. Remember! Only my father could draw his bow! And no one else but him could.
Euriclea was the oldest servant of the palace. She had been the nurse of never reach such a small goal!
Ulises. He hurried to obey his mistress, who did nothing but respect traditions. Without getting flustered, the beggar aimed... and shot. The arrow crossed the room and went to
of hospitality. to hit the center of the target. A scream arose, which multiplied, in which
Before sitting down, the beggar leaned close to Penelope's ear to whisper to her: they guessed the astonishment and the fear:
—Say that you will marry the one who knows how to draw your husband's bow! —¡Es Ulises!
Astonished, Penelope looked at the stranger next to whom Euriclea was busy. It can only be him. However, it is impossible!
he was too old and too ugly to be her disguised husband. However, that Then, the beggar tore off his rags at once.
It was his style to infiltrate incognito to confuse his enemies. Yes! I thundered. It's me, Ulysses, the master of this island and this palace! This
Raising her head again, Penelope, disturbed, repeated word for word. Tomorrow, the Phaeacians have left me on the beach of Ithaca. And thanks to Athena, who knew
word Aging and disguising myself, here they are deceived. Did you covet my wife?
Okay: I will marry... whoever knows how to stretch my husband's bow! Were they trying to impersonate me?
Surprised, the suitors exchanged glances. The first, "Who told you those lies?" said Eurymachus, making grimaces.
Eurymachus reacted: —Eumeo, my faithful swineherd! He welcomed me without recognizing me. Thanks to him,
Do you challenge us? What if twenty of us achieved it? I learned about the deception they were plotting. With their help and that of my son, none of you will be able to...
In that case, Telemachus replied, my mother would organize a shooting contest and he/she will escape.
she would marry the winner. Eurymachus made a gesture to flee. But brave Philetius was guarding the door, which
Penelope looked at her son. It was not in her character to take such initiatives. she was stuck. Antinous, for his part, wanted to take his sword. But like the others
absence and experience had undoubtedly made him mature. At that moment, the old suitors, he realized that he was unarmed. Then, he lunged for the axes.
Ulises' nurse let out a scream; she had just discovered a scar on his knee. An arrow pierced his throat and stopped him in his tracks. Ulysses was already
beggar. pointing at another, while shouting:
-Oh, it's an old wound - this one said - it doesn't hurt me anymore. —Telemachus, Philetius, Eumaeus... step aside!
Telemachus was already returning with his father's enormous bow and several quivers.
full of arrows. He was accompanied by Filecio, a loyal servant who carried a dozen
of axes.
I will be the first to try it! - decreed Eurymachus. At night, Penelope woke up startled: there was a stranger on the threshold of her
He took the rope and pulled it so tight that his face turned red. room. He got up, approached the man, and tried to identify him in the moonlight.
Don't insist — mocked Antinous —. The wood hasn't even bent! Well, Penélope, "she murmured, "don't you recognize me?

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Shaking from head to toe, he didn't dare to understand. The traveler was going
accompanied by Telemachus and Euryclea.
"It's him, my lady!" the nurse assured her with a sob.
—It is he —Telemachus confirmed to her—. Mother, do you still doubt?
He doubted. He didn't want to believe in that overwhelming happiness that swept through all at once.
so many accumulated sorrows.
—Wow —Ulises whispered, with a lump in his throat—, only two beings have me
recognized: my dog, who waited for me to die; and my wet nurse, who identified the wound
from the knee that once was gored by a boar. But you, Penelope, my own wife, do not me
do you recognize?
No. That Ulysses who had emerged today seemed stranger to him than the ghost.
familiar with whom I conversed and whose memory I had cherished.
—Athena, illuminate me! —he implored.
The goddess heard him: with a stroke, Odysseus was dressed in a rich cloak, and his face
it captured the shine and beauty of heroes.
To prove to you that this is not a deception of the gods,
to give you proof that I am your husband: do you see our bed? Who else but me
Could you describe it accurately?
He did it, and with such details that Penelope immediately threw herself into his arms.
--Ulises--he stammered through tears, not stopping to feel the beloved face--.
Ulises, finally, it's you! Yes, you have returned...
Twenty years later, he concluded. And after how many trips...
—Yo —she replied—, I have not left the island of Ithaca. However, I have
the impression of being a castaway who has been wandering for twenty years and finally gives up
with firm land!
They hugged. Telemachus and Euryclea left the bedroom on tiptoe. And
Athena, in her kindness, indefinitely prolonged the night of the reunion of the
spouses.

In the morning, when they returned to the throne room, there were no longer any traces of the
massacre of the eve. Penelope then saw, abandoned in a corner, her work
inconclusive. She remembered the past years waiting for her husband and sighed.
What is it? asked the king of Ithaca, feeling the fabric.
A fabric that was being spun... to pass the time.
She pulled the thread. And it was as if Penelope went back, as if they were erased,
accelerated, impatience, waiting, and the years. Soon nothing was left of the many labors.
often restarted. Just a sharp and painful memory.
"What does it matter now?" he said with a sigh.
Yes: the shroud of old Laertes could wait. Ulysses, Penelope, and he would still live.
a lot, a lot more time.

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