western civilization-greece film connections

Western Civilization I

Film Connections – Ancient Greece

TROY

Loosely based on Homer’s Iliad where Hecotr and Paris of Troy are trying to negotiate peace with Sparta. Paris falls in love with Helen of troy, who is married to king Menelaus. Menelaus’ brother Agememnon agrees to go to war with troy. Troy shows both infamous warriors Achilles and Hector in their full glory and the triumphs and fall of both.  Of course the famous Trojan horse scene is in the movie which is the climax of the film.

The main characters are Paris, Hector, Agememnon, Menelaus, Achilles, Helen, Odysseus, Patroclus, and King Priam,

The time period in which this film takes place is during the Hellenistic era of Greece. This period is marked by the independence of city-states and their army’s conquering one another where allegiance was expected.

The Trojan horse, being a historically ingenious plan shows that the battle is not over when you necessarily think and to never let your guard down and expose your self with drink and celebration. This has been seen throughout history. As a last ditch effort an army on the defense uses a clever strategy as their last shot and is to be expected.

I feel that The Trojan horse is another example of this theme. It’s more than likely this was not the first time in the history of mankind that this “offering” tactic was used. They would not have been deceived in such a way if they had other examples to use as reference. But they did not know.

Don’t steal a kings wife, especially if she’s beautiful. He’ll launch a thousand ships after you in search to destroy you and your homeland. I think this theme holds true and will always throughout the history of man.