There appear to be two sources for the story,
The Aeneid a Latin epic poem, written by Virgil between 29 and 19 BC, that tells of the sacking of Troy and after ten years of Greek siege the ending of the Trojan War, then how the Trojans were tricked to accept into their city walls a wooden horse, which, unbeknownst to them, harboured several Greek soldiers in its hollow belly.
The Aeneid a Latin epic poem, written by Virgil between 29 and 19 BC, that tells of the sacking of Troy and after ten years of Greek siege the ending of the Trojan War, then how the Trojans were tricked to accept into their city walls a wooden horse, which, unbeknownst to them, harboured several Greek soldiers in its hollow belly. - Homer’s two poems The Iliad and The Odyssey that follow the Greek hero Odysseus, king of Ithaca, and his journey home after the Trojan War. They tell the story of a Great War that was fought 500 years earlier between Greece and Troy. He based most of them on Greek history and legends.
There are even myths about the Trojan horse itself, some say:
- It may have been a battering ram that looked like a horse.
- A siege machine, as they were often given animal names.
- Another belief is that the horse represented an earthquake that weakened the walls. This can be supported as Poseidon was the god of earthquakes, as well as being the god of horses.
- Others argue that the gift was in fact a boat carrying a peace envoy. This theory is because the Greek words used to describe men being put in the horse are similar to those for getting on a ship.
Therefore, the Trojan Wars could have been a myth, or at least a story made up of both myth and truth. Ultimately, it is unlikely we will ever know, which is why many suggest it should be treated as a classic tale, not an historical event.
However, whatever the truth, we believe that it makes a cracking good story, as well as a great way to help us learn more about the Greek Gods. That is why our sister site Educational Musicals have published the musical The Trojan Horse – The Fall of Troy.
To download it simply click on The Trojan Horse – The Fall of Troy.
Isn’t history fun?
10 questions to ask:
- What are the main sources of the story of the Trojan Horse, and when were they written?
- How does Virgil’s account of the Trojan Horse in The Aeneid differ from Homer’s portrayal in The Iliad and The Odyssey?
- What are some alternative theories about the nature of the Trojan Horse, besides it being a wooden structure filled with Greek soldiers?
- How do these alternative theories challenge the traditional understanding of the Trojan Horse as a physical object?
- What role does mythology play in shaping our understanding of events like the Trojan War and the Trojan Horse?
- How do historians approach the question of whether the Trojan Horse story is based on historical fact or myth?
- What evidence, if any, exists to support the historicity of the Trojan Horse?
- How do linguistic and cultural factors influence interpretations of the Trojan Horse story, such as the theory that it might have been a boat rather than a horse?
- Why do some scholars argue that the Trojan Wars should be regarded as more myth than history?
- In what ways does the ambiguity surrounding the Trojan Horse story contribute to its enduring fascination and relevance in literature and popular culture?
For more information written, by better people than me, on the Wooden Horse go to: