Strauss Book Review (2)

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Zac Green 1137 Words 1 Barry S. Strauss' "The Trojan War: A New History" takes readers on a journey through the epic tale of the Trojan War, using both Homer's accounts as well as archaeological discoveries. In this exploration, Strauss masterfully presents vivid descriptions of the battles and offers insightful insights into the key actors. Absent a distinct authorial voice, Strauss weaves through an eventful narrative that is rich in detail. At the heart of Strauss' narrative is the belief that the Trojan War was triggered by the abduction of Helen, Queen of Sparta and wife to King Menelaus, by Paris, Prince of Troy. Historians also believe that tensions between Greece and Troy also contributed to the outbreak of war (pg. 52). Paris and Helen's romantic connection leads to her being taken to Troy, violating the customs of ancient Greece. Helen's husband, Menelaus, the King of Sparta, assembles a formidable army at Aulis to recover his honor and get Helen back to Greece. The Greek fleet, with its naval advantage, faces an unexpected setback as unfavorable winds hinder their progress. In an attempt to appease the goddess Artemis, Agamemnon sacrifices his own daughter, Iphigenia. The winds calmed and the journey continued smoothly. The arrival of the Greeks in Troy is marked by the swift death of Protesilaus at the hands of Hector, the Trojan leader (p.72). Due to their advantageous lookout, the Trojans receive early warning of the Greek invasion. The Greeks were clearly outnumbered, but were driven by their aggressive intent as invaders of Trojan territory. Achilles distinguishes himself in battle by slaying Cycnus, a superhuman Trojan warrior, leading the Greeks to a win in their initial encounter (pg. 101). The Greek army establishes a camp, loots fallen Trojan warriors, and offers prayers to the Gods. Meanwhile, King Priam continues planning for the defense of Troy. Menelaus and Odysseus embark on a mission to negotiate with the Trojans, offering gifts in exchange for the return of Helen. Antenor supports the Greek proposal, fearing for his sons' lives in the impending war. However, the Trojan warrior Antimachus, bribed by Paris, opposes the Greeks' wishes. The failure of diplomacy leads to a preparation for war, as the return of Helen would imply an admission of error and potential unrest among the Trojans. The intervention of Poseidon in the ninth year of the war aids the struggling Greeks. Hector is mocked for fighting only near the safety of the Trojan fortress, reflecting a predominantly defensive strategy by the Trojan army. Homer's account details battles between the gods themselves, with Diomedes attacking Ares and Aphrodite. The Greeks fortify their camp with defenses similar to those of Troy. They also engage in assaults on Trojan allies. A devastating plague strikes the Greek camp, causing Achilles and Agamemnon to divide the coalition. Calchas, a prophet, attributes the plague to Apollo's anger over the capture of

Zac Green 1137 Words 2 Chryseis, the daughter of one of his priests. Agamemnon reluctantly releases Chryseis but further deepens the rift between him and Achilles. A bull sacrifice follows, and the end of the plague results in numerous casualties, along with Achilles and his Myrmidons withdrawing from the war. A prophecy foretells that Troy cannot be taken without Achilles, prompting Agamemnon to get a better understanding of his warriors' morale. This attempt backfires as the troops begin to march towards the ships, only to be restored to order by Odysseus, who appeals to their honor and exposes the truth of the prophecy. As the armies move toward each other, a Greek and a Trojan step forward for combat. Hector proposes a duel between Paris and Menelaus, the instigators of the war, with Helen and the loot as the prize. A temporary ceasefire is agreed upon, contingent on Priam's oath to abide by the outcome. In the ensuing duel, Paris and Menelaus exchange blows, but neither emerges as the clear victor. The standoff is broken when Athena intervenes to rescue Paris. The Greeks and Trojans remain evenly matched, with Diomedes nearly killing Aeneas and wounding Aphrodite and Ares. The tide turns when Hector leads a night charge, but Hera's encouragement spurs Agamemnon and the Greeks to resist. The Trojan army dominates, but the nightfall saves the Greeks from defeat. Nestor emphasizes the Greeks' dependence on Achilles, but Agamemnon attempts to appease him by offering Briseis and a marriage proposal. Achilles rejects the offer, vowing to return home unless Hector attacks his Myrmidons. Odysseus and Diomedes embark on a scouting mission, capturing and executing the Trojan scout Dolon, gaining crucial intelligence. Hector launches an assault on the Greek camp, leading to heavy casualties among Greek heroes. In a moment of divine intervention, Zeus strikes Diomedes' horse with a lightning bolt, allowing Hector to taunt him. The Greeks are pushed back to their camp, and Hector's stone-throwing creates an opening in the Greek defenses. Patroclus disobeys Achilles and makes repeated attacks on the walls but is ultimately killed by a Trojan warrior. Achilles returns to the battle, seeking vengeance on Hector. He kills Hector and two of his sons, devastating King Priam and Queen Hecuba (pg.157). Achilles desecrates Hector's body but is eventually persuaded by the gods to return it to Troy, leading to a temporary truce for funeral services. The book delves into additional tales related to the Trojan War, including the stories of Penthesilea, a female warrior, and Memnon of Ethiopia, both of whom meet their fates at the

Zac Green 1137 Words 3 hands of Achilles. The narrative ultimately concludes with the fall of Troy, as Odysseus employs cunning tactics to infiltrate the city, leading to its destruction. While "The Trojan War: A New History" provides a concise and informative retelling of the Trojan War, enhanced by modern archaeological findings and references to other relevant texts, it does have its limitations. The absence of a distinct authorial voice leaves readers without a clear sense of the author's perspective or evaluation of the historical events. Additionally, some sections of the book tend to elaborate too much on specific details, potentially diverting attention from the overall narrative. In conclusion, Barry S. Strauss' book offers a comprehensive exploration of the Trojan War, incorporating both myth and archaeology. It serves as a valuable resource for readers interested in delving into the history and legends of this epic conflict, even though it falls short of providing a truly "new history" due to its reliance on existing sources. Strauss makes mention of his new history when he says “New evidence makes it likely that the Trojan War indeed took place. New excavations since 1988 constitute little less than an archaeological revolution, proving that Homer was right about the city” (pg.1-2). Despite this limitation, the themes and captivating tales of the Trojan War continue to resonate with readers, making this book a worthwhile read for those seeking to immerse themselves in ancient history and culture.

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