The Trojan War and 'The Iliad'
I can describe the key events of The Trojan War myth and describe *The Iliad’s* influence.
The Trojan War and 'The Iliad'
I can describe the key events of The Trojan War myth and describe *The Iliad’s* influence.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- The Trojan War was a mythical conflict between the Ancient Greeks and Troy, a city most likely in modern day Turkey.
- The war began when a Trojan, Paris, kidnapped Helen from the Greek King Menelaus.
- The Greeks defeated the Trojans but their greatest warrior, Achilles, was killed.
- This myth was first written down as an epic poem called *The Iliad* by the Greek poet, Homer.
- *The Iliad* not only became a major part of Ancient Greek identity, but influenced literature and art through the ages.
Common misconception
Pupils may think that Troy was a real place and that the Trojan War was a real conflict.
The story of the Trojan War is from Greek mythology. Myths are stories that people have told by word of mouth for thousands of years, some people do claim that myths are true but they are in fact fictional stories - they did not happen in real life.
Keywords
Troy - Troy is a mythical city, believed to have been located in modern-day Turkey
Trojans - people from Troy were called Trojans
Achilles - Achilles is a mythical hero who fought in the Trojan War, he was celebrated as a great warrior that no one could defeat
Homer - Homer was a Greek poet, who is thought to have lived around the 700s BCE
*The Iliad* - The Iliad is an ancient Greek poem, telling the story of the Trojan War, believed to be written by Homer
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
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Exit quiz
6 Questions
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